UH/1788

Omagh claim may not go ahead in New Year as planned .

THE £14million compensation claim arising out of the Omagh bomb atrocity may not go ahead in January as planned, it emerged today.
The High Court was told that two cases linked to the claim may prevent it going ahead on January 17.
On October 26 the court will hear a judicial review application brought by the jailed RIRA leader Michael McKevitt against the refusal of legal aid to fight the huge claim against him and and four other alleged bombers. And today Justice Morgan directed that an application to hear the evidence of superspy David Rupert via video link from the USA will be heard on November 29.
Frank O'Donoghue, QC, for McKevitt, said in view of the two cases the January 17 date might be unrealistic.
Brett Lockhart, BL, for the Omagh claimants, submitted there should be sufficient time for the cases to be dealt with before the compensation case.
Mr Justice Morgan said the legal aid decision could result in an appeal which could impact on the programme for the compensation hearing.
He said the date would stand at this stage but he was conscious of the difficulties that could arise. McKevitt, 54, is being sued along with Liam Campbell, Seamus McKenna, Seamus Daly and Colm Murphy. They are suspected of involvement in the 1998 bombing in which 29 people died.