GARDAI TO GIVE OMAGH EVIDENCE
Gardai to give Omagh evidence
THE judge hearing the Omagh bomb compensation case has said that he will seek to take evidence in the Republic from 24 Garda officers.
Justice Morgan ordered that a letter is issued to the judicial authorities in Dublin requesting their help to secure the testimonies being sought.
Relatives of some of those killed in the Omagh atrocity want Gardai to give evidence on the alleged roles within the Real IRA of the five men being sued.
It had been stressed, however, this could only happen if a way was found to hear from them in the Republic, where they could invoke public interest immunity rights.
Ruling on the issue, Justice Morgan accepted there was still some uncertainty over the level of cooperation available from the Irish authorities in providing witnesses.
However, he accepted public interest immunity difficulties may prevent Garda officers travelling north to testify at the trial which is due to begin on April 7.
Justice Morgan said, "I am satisfied, therefore, that it is necessary in the interests of justice to make the order sought in respect of the 24 identified witnesses.
"I direct that a letter of request should be issued to the judicial authorities of the Republic of Ireland to facilitate the taking of that evidence."
THE judge hearing the Omagh bomb compensation case has said that he will seek to take evidence in the Republic from 24 Garda officers.
Justice Morgan ordered that a letter is issued to the judicial authorities in Dublin requesting their help to secure the testimonies being sought.
Relatives of some of those killed in the Omagh atrocity want Gardai to give evidence on the alleged roles within the Real IRA of the five men being sued.
It had been stressed, however, this could only happen if a way was found to hear from them in the Republic, where they could invoke public interest immunity rights.
Ruling on the issue, Justice Morgan accepted there was still some uncertainty over the level of cooperation available from the Irish authorities in providing witnesses.
However, he accepted public interest immunity difficulties may prevent Garda officers travelling north to testify at the trial which is due to begin on April 7.
Justice Morgan said, "I am satisfied, therefore, that it is necessary in the interests of justice to make the order sought in respect of the 24 identified witnesses.
"I direct that a letter of request should be issued to the judicial authorities of the Republic of Ireland to facilitate the taking of that evidence."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH/065
Published Date: 18-Feb-08
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.