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McKEVITT TO FIGHT OMAGH WRIT
By ALAN ERWIN

TWO of the men suspected of carrying out the Omagh bombing are to challenge legal action against them, it emerged yesterday.
Lawyers representing Liam Campbell and Michael McKevitt lodged papers with the High Court in Belfast declaring their intention to defend themselves.
Some of the Omagh victims' families have launched an unprecedented £2.3million bid to sue those they claim were behind the attack.
The hearing is expected to go ahead next year once all the documentation is completed.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed in the blast, said last night: "This is what we want. It would have been very flat with just our side of the story but this will make for a very interesting case.
"Both sides have a right to tell their story and we are putting our faith in the justice system."
Lawyers representing Campbell, 38, and McKevitt, 51, refused to comment on the action.
Campbell's solicitor said: "I never become involved in discussions unless authorised by my client."
Civil writs seeking compensation were served on five men alleged to be linked to the Real IRA, the terror group responsible for the atrocity.
They are: McKevitt from Dundalk, Co Louth; Campbell also from Dundalk; Seamus McKenna of Newry, Co Down; Michael Colm Murphy from Dundalk and Seamus Daly from Castleblaney, Co Monaghan.
Murphy, 49, a publican and builder, received a 14-year jail sentence earlier this year for plotting to cause an explosion at the time of the Omagh attack.
The August 1998 bombing killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins. No one has been charged with the murders.
A lawyer representing the Omagh families served writs on the men last month.
They have 14 days to respond, but so far only McKevitt and Campbell have indicated their intention to appear in court.
Both men are being held in Portlaoise jail for offences unconnected with Omagh.
A statement issued on behalf of the Omagh Victims Legal Trust and their solicitors, hailed the move as a step forward.
It read: "All along we have wanted to see the defendants face justice. This campaign is simply about justice."