UH/1878

Ahern seeks legal advice on state documents

THE Irish Government may do an about turn and release secret state papers to the families of the Omagh bomb victims.
The Omagh relatives are currently taking a multi-million civil action against five men they suspect of carrying out the bombing.
The families lost a Special Criminal Court bid on Monday for access to trial transcripts in relation to the 1998 atrocity because judges ruled they did not have jurisdiction to hear the application.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has told the Dail he would seek legal advice on transferring such documents to the National Archives before the traditional 30-year period.
He said, "I appreciate the importance of the papers but I am not aware of what the legal complexities are."
He has given a commitment to consult the Attorney General and the Justice Minister on the issue.
The £14 million civil action is expected to be heard at the High Court in Belfast later this year.
At present the action has reached the discovery stage and numerous applications are before the Dublin and Belfast courts.