Government grants funding for Omagh relatives' court action

Friday, 8 August 2003 12:00 AM

The Government has announced that it will provide funding for the relatives of victims of the Omagh bombing to launch a civil action against those accused of committing the atrocity.

Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy confirmed today that the British government will provide £800,000 to take the case to court and added that the government has found a way to help relatives raise the full £1.5 million they needed for a civil action.

He said today, "While I recognise the legal constraints and complexities, I have always believed that this is an exceptional case and the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland and beyond want to see the families bring it to court.

"The magnificent scale of the financial donations from the public to date supports that view. I am delighted to be able to say that these efforts have borne fruit. I have discussed the families' concerns with the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, and he has found a way to give the families the money they need to fight their case."

The announcement of money for the families came just 24 hours after Real IRA terror boss Michael McKevitt began a 20-year sentence in Portlaoise Prison in the Irish Republic following his conviction for directing terrorism.

The families of victims of the worst terrorist attack in Northern Ireland in 30 years of violence welcomed the government's decision.

Hundreds of people were injured and 29 killed when the Real IRA car bomb detonated in Omagh town centre in August 1998.

Last summer solicitors acting on behalf of the Omagh Victims' Civil Action Group served writs on five people suspected of involvement in the bombing, seeking £10 million in damages.

The legal documents were given to Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, and Colm Murphy in Portlaoise Jail in the Irish Republic
Solicitor Jason McCue visited the Irish Republic border town of Dundalk last July to serve writs on two other people, Seamus Daly and Seamus McKenna. Neither of the accused was present and the writs were handed either to relatives or posted through the door.

In February, Sinn Fein MPs Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Pat Doherty were also subpoenaed by the families to appear in court during the civil action, along with Belfast republicans Brian Gillen and Brian Keenan.

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