GARDAÍ who investigated the 1998 Real IRA bombing in Omagh will not testify in a civil action by relatives of those who died.

The marathon Omagh bomb trial is expected to finish next Tuesday, a lawyer revealed today.

The trial of the alleged leader of the Real IRA is due to begin at Dublin’s Special Criminal Court this week.

A new report into the Omagh bombing investigation to be published today may offer new hope that the killers can be brought to justice.

A High Court decision today cleared the way for the trial of Michael McKevitt, the alleged leader of the Real IRA, in Dublin’s Special Criminal Court.

The alleged leader of Irish republican splinter group the Real IRA, was due to appear in court today where a date would be set for his trial for directing terrorism.

More than 100 high-ranking police officers from both sides of the Irish border staged a formalised meeting for the first time today - in line with a recommendation incorporated in the report on policing in Northern Ireland by European Commissioner and former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten.