UH/1090

McKevitt and Campbell to challenge civil writs in court
BY JOHN McCUSKER

TWO of the five men served with civil writs accusing them of taking part in the Omagh atrocity are challenging legal action against them.
Lawyers acting for Michael McKevitt and Liam Campbell lodged papers with the High Court in Belfast declaring their intentions to defend themselves when the case comes before the courts.
Last month a number of the Omagh families launched a £1.5 million legal case suing those they claim were involved in the bomb attack.
Once legal paperwork is completed, the case is expected to go ahead next year.
Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Victims Support Group, welcomed the move by the two accused.
He said: "This is what we want. It would have been very flat with just our side 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 Liam Campbell, 38, and Michael McKevitt, 51, refused to comment on the action.
"I never become involved in discussions unless instructed or authorised by my client, Campbell's solicitor said.
Lawyers acting for the a number of the Omagh families issued civil writs seeking compensation on five men alleged to be linked to the Real IRA, the grouping responsible for the atrocity.
They are: McKevitt of Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth, Campbell of Mount Pleasant, Dundalk; Seamus McKenna of Silverbridge, Newry; Michael Colm Murphy of Ravensdale, Dundalk and Seamus Daly of Culloville, near Castleblaney.
Earlier this year, Murphy, a publican and builder, was given a 14-year jail sentence for his part in plotting to cause an explosion in August 1998.
A lawyer representing the Omagh families served writs on the five men last month.
They were given 14 days to respond but, as yet, only McKevitt and Campbell have indicated their intention to appear in court.
Both are being detained in Portlaoise Prison on terrorist offences not connected to the Omagh attack.
The pair accepted the writs when a lawyer went to their cells, but Murphy, who is also being held in Portlaoise, refused.
McKevitt is awaiting trial and Campbell is serving five years for membership of an illegal organisation following a raid on his home where an underground bunker concealing walkie talkies, a radio scanner and cash were discovered.