Eyebrows were raised when five TDs expressed ‘deep concern’ that jailed dissident republican Michael McKevitt was not allowed on extended temporary release last year — but the political intervention is not an isolated case, writes Michael Clifford

From defending crime bosses in the real world to writing about them in a fictional one, Michael O’Higgins gives us an authentic take on policing and the law, writes Cormac O’Keeffe

MICHAEL McKEVITT, one of four men found liable for the 1998 Omagh bomb in a civil action taken by relatives of the dead, is coming towards the end of a 20-year jail term for directing terrorism. He was also convicted of membership of the Real IRA. He had a cancerous kidney removed in May.

Families of victims of the Omagh bombing have strongly criticised efforts by TDs to secure the release on humanitarian grounds of a Real IRA leader.

A dissident republican leader sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for directing terrorism has lost an appeal against a High Court judgment refusing him early release.

Jailed Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt has lost his High Court case to try secure one third remission of his sentence for good behaviour.

The High Court is to rule on a claim by Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt that he is entitled to one third remission of his sentence for good behaviour.

Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt is applying for his immediate release in the High Court.

Michael McKevitt — who is serving a 20-year sentence for directing terrorism and membership of the Real IRA — is entitled to immediate release arising from recent legal rulings concerning remission rights, the High Court has been told.

Convicted terrorist Michael McKevitt has brought fresh legal proceedings aimed at securing his early release from Portlaoise Prison.

Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt has made a fresh bid for early release from prison, just minutes after his first application was struck out.

The average cost of jailing the three Dundon brothers who were convicted of murder as well as other dangerous criminals at the State’s only high security prison shot up last year.

Alleged Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt will have to wait until at least next week to hear if he will get out of jail early.

Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt has been refused permission to bring his appeal against his conviction for directing terrorism to the Supreme Court.

Caroline O’Doherty looks at Martin Callinan’s record prior to this very damaging, badly handled scandal

The Irishman cleared by a court in Lithuania of trying to buy weapons for the organisation which bombed Omagh may seek compensation, it was revealed.

A bid by the Real IRA’s Michael McKevitt to have his conviction for directing terrorist activities declared a miscarriage of justice has been dismissed by the Court of Criminal Appeal.

The Court of Criminal Appeal has struck out an application by Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt to have his conviction for directing terrorism declared a miscarriage of justice.

Relatives of Omagh bomb victims last night vowed to pursue the £1.6m (€1.8m) in damages that the men found liable for the attack have been ordered to pay.

Relatives of Omagh bomb victims tonight vowed to relentlessly pursue the £1.6m in damages that the men found liable for the attack have been ordered to pay.

Two republicans have been found liable for the Omagh bombing following a landmark civil action taken by relatives of some of the victims.

A judgment in the civil retrial of two republicans accused of responsibility for the Omagh bombing is due today.

Two republicans being sued by relatives of victims of the Omagh bomb have been challenged to break their silence and testify in court.

Two republicans being sued by relatives of victims of the Omagh bomb have been challenged to break their silence and testify in court.

A judge in the civil retrial of two men accused of involvement in the Omagh bombing has warned lawyers that he will not let it be held up by endless delays.

Michael McKevitt is seeking to have his conviction for organising terrorist activities for the Real IRA declared a miscarriage of justice.

A Real IRA leader has today denied that he ever had a tip-off from a Garda before his property was searched.

The Smithwick Tribunal will today hear evidence from Michael McKevitt, who is serving a 20-year sentence for directing terrorism and membership of the Real IRA.

FAMILIES of Omagh bomb victims have pledged to stick with their marathon legal battle after two men successfully appealed a court ruling that had found them responsible for the 1998 outrage.

Families of Omagh bomb victims have pledged to stick with their marathon legal battle after two men successfully appealed a high court ruling that had found them responsible for the 1998 outrage.

Two men have successfully appealed against a High Court ruling that held them responsible for the Omagh bombing today, but two others had their appeals dismissed.

An FBI agent whose evidence was crucial in the case against a dissident republican leader found liable for the Omagh bombing is a pathological liar, an appeal court heard today.

Four dissident republicans will today begin a court appeal after they were successfully sued by families bereaved in the Omagh bombing.

A badly burned victim of the 1998 Omagh bomb massacre has yet to receive a penny in compensation, it was revealed today.

FRED WHITE was 60 in 1998.

The Omagh families have succeeded in turning the tables on the terrorists by humanising their plight while dehumanising the Real IRA. The perpetrators were unable to paint their opponents in court as large oppressive forces hostile to humanity, or even civil liberties for that matter

IT may have taken over a decade but at last justice of a sort has been done.

Relatives of the Omagh bomb victims today won a landmark multi-million pound civil action against four men they blamed for the atrocity in which 29 people died.

Omagh bomb relatives will today learn the verdict in their multimillion-pound legal action against those they blame for the killings.

The verdict in a multi million legal action against five men accused of the Omagh bombing will be delivered tomorrow.

Dermot Ahern has defended his decision to forward a letter written on behalf of Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt to former Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

The British government faces legal action within a week if it does not hand over intelligence files which could have helped catch the Omagh bombers, grieving relatives warned today.

Senior gardaí were today accused of turning a blind eye to allegations that a top officer wanted to bury an email casting doubt on the credibility of an FBI informant.

Senior gardaí were today accused of turning a blind eye to allegations that a top officer wanted to bury an email casting doubt on the credibility of an FBI informant.