TC/1864

Judgment reserved in Omagh files case

THE Special Criminal Court has reserved judgement in an application by relatives of the Omagh bomb victims for documentation to help their civil compensation case against those suspected of carrying out the 1998 bombing.
Lawyers for the relatives applied to the court for transcripts and books of evidence relating to a number of trials involving men who are named in the Belfast High Court action.
The relatives are suing Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy, Seamus Daly, Seamus McKenna and the Real IRA for £14 million pounds.
Former FBI agent David Rupert, who gave evidence in the trial of Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt in Dublin, will be one of the witnesses called by the relatives' legal team.
The Omagh bombing, which was admitted by the Real IRA killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, in August 1998.
McKevitt (54), of Beech Park, Blackrock, Co Louth, was jailed for 20 years in August 2003 for directing the activities of a terrorist organisation and membership of an illegal organisation.
Murphy (51), of Jordan's Corner, Ravensdale, Co Louth, was jailed for 14 years in January 2002 after he was convicted of conspiracy to cause an explosion between August 13 and 16, 1998.
Campbell (41), of Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co Louth, was sentenced to eight years in May 2004 for membership of the Real IRA on separate dates in 2000 and 2001.
Daly (33), of Culloville, Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, was jailed for three and a half years in May last year after he pleaded guilty to membership of the Real IRA on November 20, 2000.
McKenna (49), of Marian Park, Dundalk, Co Louth was jailed for six years last month for the possession of an explosive substance in Co Louth in June 2003.
On Tuesday Lord Brennan QC, for the relatives, told the court that Mr Justice Morgan had heard an application in Belfast last week relating to the claim.
Mr Justice Richard Johnson, presiding, said the court would be in a position to say at the end of the month when it would deliver judgment.