BOMB COMPENSATION CASE FACING FURTHER DELAYS
Bomb compensation case facing further delays
LAWYERS in the �14 million Omagh bomb compensation case got a rap on Thursday last from the Lord Chief Justice Sir Brian Kerr in the Court of Appeal.
Declaring that an appeal by two of the defendants had been characterised by every conceivable technical objection, Sir Brian said: "The time has now arrived for this case to proceed with all despatch."
The record-breaking claim over the 1998 bombing is due to be heard next month, but is facing more delay on two fronts.
A judicial review is currently being heard in the High Court challenging the Lord Chancellor's decision to award exceptional legal aid of �860,000 to the victims and their relatives.
And earlier last week it was revealed that American 'super spy' David Rupert, who infiltrated the Real IRA which planted the bomb and killed 29 people, may not give evidence because of risks to his security and health.
Last Thursday's appeal was brought by Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly, who are being sued along with Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Seamus McKenna and the Real IRA.
Murphy and McKevitt appealed against a ruling by Mr Justice Morgan in which he ordered production of documents held by solicitors in the Republic, who acted for them in proceedings at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.
Dismissing the appeal, the Lord Chief Justice, sitting with Lord Justices Campbell and Higgins, said: "The case generally has spawned much interlocutory litigation, where again, every possible ground on which the action might be frustrated has been canvassed.
"There has been satellite litigation challenging the grant of funds to the respondents for the legal costs of the action."
Maintaining that the time had come to get on with the case, Sir Brian said: "It is clear that the learned trial judge (Mr Justice Morgan) has bent every effort to achieve this.
"We now expect the legal representatives of all the parties to give their full cooperation to him to realise what has obviously been his aspiration of bringing this action to trial without further delay."
LAWYERS in the �14 million Omagh bomb compensation case got a rap on Thursday last from the Lord Chief Justice Sir Brian Kerr in the Court of Appeal.
Declaring that an appeal by two of the defendants had been characterised by every conceivable technical objection, Sir Brian said: "The time has now arrived for this case to proceed with all despatch."
The record-breaking claim over the 1998 bombing is due to be heard next month, but is facing more delay on two fronts.
A judicial review is currently being heard in the High Court challenging the Lord Chancellor's decision to award exceptional legal aid of �860,000 to the victims and their relatives.
And earlier last week it was revealed that American 'super spy' David Rupert, who infiltrated the Real IRA which planted the bomb and killed 29 people, may not give evidence because of risks to his security and health.
Last Thursday's appeal was brought by Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly, who are being sued along with Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Seamus McKenna and the Real IRA.
Murphy and McKevitt appealed against a ruling by Mr Justice Morgan in which he ordered production of documents held by solicitors in the Republic, who acted for them in proceedings at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.
Dismissing the appeal, the Lord Chief Justice, sitting with Lord Justices Campbell and Higgins, said: "The case generally has spawned much interlocutory litigation, where again, every possible ground on which the action might be frustrated has been canvassed.
"There has been satellite litigation challenging the grant of funds to the respondents for the legal costs of the action."
Maintaining that the time had come to get on with the case, Sir Brian said: "It is clear that the learned trial judge (Mr Justice Morgan) has bent every effort to achieve this.
"We now expect the legal representatives of all the parties to give their full cooperation to him to realise what has obviously been his aspiration of bringing this action to trial without further delay."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1876
Published Date: 22-Mar-07
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