UH/0741

Government ministers back £1m civil case
By JOHN McCUSKER

Other top names expected to give backing
TWO former Secretaries of State have given personal backing to a campaign to bring civil claims against those suspected of masterminding the Omagh bombing. Peter Mandelson and Sir Patrick Mayhew have endorsed plans to pursue civil actions against members of the Real IRA team believed to have been behind the August 1998 blast.
And in the coming weeks, it is planned to attract other leading political figures from Ireland and Britain when a renewed effort is made to raise the £1 million necessary to back the campaign.
The civil action is being instigated by families of some of those who died. Campaigners must raise the required funding by August 15 when the three-year time limit for legal action expires.
It is then planned that at least five of those suspected of assembling and transporting the bomb will be served with writs.
Last week, Michael Gallagher and Victor Barker who both lost sons in the explosion discussed the campaign with former Secretary of State,
Peter Mandelson during a meeting in the House of Commons.
Mr Mandelson, who resigned as Secretary of State last month over the Hinduja passport affair, has donated £10,000 towards the move - money he received from newspaper articles about the scandal.
He later said: "I hope politicians from other parties will join me in standing up to these terrorists. They are the last remaining obstacles to a successful peace process in Northern Ireland between nationalists, republicans and unionists."
Former Tory Secretary of State, Sir Patrick Mayhew has also revealed that he intends making a personal contribution towards the legal fund.
Urging other politicians to follow, the barrister and former attorney general said: "It doesn't imply any criticism of the prosecuting authorities. The standard of proof is much higher for criminal prosecution than it is for a civil action."
So far, only one man, father-of-four Colm Murphy, has been charged in connection with the attack. Although security forces claim they know the identity of those involved, families are disillusioned that others have not been prosecuted for their involvement in the atrocity.
The Omagh Victims' Legal Trust plans to re-launch its appeal within the next few weeks backed by a number of high-profile names.
So far the fund has raised just under £150,000. But Michael Gallagher is confident that a renewed effort will provide the impetus needed.
He said: "At this point we are anxious to bring on board other former secretaries of state, leading politicians and prominent people from the entertainment world.
"Both Peter Mandelson and Sir Patrick Mayhew have said they are happy to assist in any way they can and we are hopeful of also receiving backing from leading Irish politicians.
"As far as we are concerned, money is the only obstacle in our way. Our lawyers are happy with the case and it is only funding at this point which would deny us a measure of justice.
On Monday evening, relatives met with West Tyrone MP, William Thompson in an effort to exert pressure on politicians.
Afterwards Mr Gallagher said: "We would remind the government of their obligations to the victims of Omagh and we would ask them to quantify what they have done throughout the past two-and-a-half years.
"We don't believe the government has utilised all of its powers in this matter and would urge them to seize the assets of those we believe were involved in the bombing."
Donations to the campaign can be sent to Omagh Victims' Legal Trust, c/o H20, Henry Hepworth Organisation, 5 John Street, Holborn, London, WC1N 2HH. Families have also set up a credit card hotline for contributions at 0870 907 2000.