Victims praise Ahern’s decision to release State papers for their civil action

OMAGH bomb victims last night praised a move by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to release secret State papers for their multi-million pound civil action.

Relatives of those killed in the Real IRA massacre feared a landmark bid to sue five men they suspect of plotting the attack could be disrupted if vital trial transcripts are not disclosed.

Their concerns heightened after an attempt to gain access failed at Dublin’s Special Criminal Court on Monday.

However, Mr Ahern told the Dáil that he would seek legal advice on transferring such documents to the National Archives before the traditional 30-year period. His initiative was backed by Michael Gallagher, whose son, Aiden, was among 29 people, including unborn twins, killed in the August 1998 atrocity.

Mr Gallagher is involved in the Omagh Victims’Civil Action Group’s €20 million case against Real IRA mastermind Michael McKevitt, Seamus Daly, Seamus McKenna, Liam Campbell and Colm Murphy.

He said: “The denial of those papers has the potential to stall the legal action, so I welcome the Taoiseach’s intervention and hope it can be completed as soon as possible.”

The case is still expected to be heard at the North’s High Court later this year.

However, lawyers for the families have been pressing for the documents they insist are vital to their challenge. At present the action has reached the discovery stage and numerous applications are before the Dublin and Belfast courts.

Responding to a question from Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte, Mr Ahern had revealed he would consult the Attorney General and Justice Minister Michael McDowell on the issue.

He said: “I appreciate the importance of the papers, (but) I’m not aware of what the legal complexities are.”