TC/1593

Omagh bomb legal case seeks unprecedented damages against terror suspects

THE scale of damages being sought by relatives of some of the Omagh bomb families in their civil legal actions may reach unprecedented proportions.
The 'statement of claim' lodged by lawyers for the families details the case against five men named in the civil action. The five are Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy, Seamus McKenna and Seamus Daly. Murphy is the only man to be convicted in a criminal court for involvement with the 1998 atrocity.
The court case is expected to be heard in Belfast later.
Before then, lawyers for the five men must respond to the detailed claims. One relative is reported to be seeking £300,000 compensation for the loss of loved ones.
One of the lawyers leading the relative's case, Jason McCue, of H2O, said the court case was the relatives' last hope.
He said it marked yet another historic step in the families' four-year campaign to bring the atrocity before the court.
"The civil action remains their best and last chance for justice," he said.
He added: "They have pursued this claim through enormous grief with self-sacrifice and determination and at times in the face of indifference."
H2O have briefed Lord Brennan QC and three junior barristers to prepare the case.
Interviewed in 'The Times' on Saturday, Jason McCue said he genuinely believed this was a case that was about principle, not money.
"Money isn't the objective justice is the objective," he said.
Twenty plaintiffs representing 11 of the 29 adult victims have joined the legal action.
As well as suing the five individuals, the action is being taken against the Real IRA.
McCue says that technically something that does not exist cannot be sued, but the families would be arguing that the Real IRA admitted the bombing and should be made accountable.
If that point is accepted by the courts, it could set a precedent, with individuals in many countries seeking to sue those they blame for terrorist attacks.
The writ does not specify the level of damages, but, again speaking in The Times', David Greenhalgh, another of the H2O lawyers, said the case deserved large punitive damages.
If the action is successful, the lawyers may well pursue confiscated assets of the Real IRA.
Admitting this would be a first, McCue said he could not see any reason why it could not be tried.
A judgment in favour of the families would hang over the heads of the defendants.
"We can say we want £20 out of every £100 they earn for the rest of their lives. We could tag in on to their earnings so that every day they go out to work they would realise that two hours of their day is going to repay the victims' families,' He told 'The Times'.
"That would be natural justice. That's about someone being accountable for their actions for the rest of their lives. Some would see that as divine punishment on earth," he added.