IRA men seek damages from Home Office

Two convicted IRA men are seeking damages against the British Home Office over injuries allegedly received during an attempt to escape from jail.

Danny McNamee and Liam McCotter claim that they were assaulted after they were recaptured following the break-out from Whitemoor jail in September 1994.

A third man, armed robber Andrew Russell, was also involved in the attempt and is a party to the action.

McNamee and McCotter, both now free men, are to give evidence during the case, which is expected to last up to three weeks.

Russell, who is not due to be released until next year, will also go into the witness box before Mr Justice Crane.

There is likely to be intense security for Russell, who is alleged to be a serious escape risk - he made headlines in 1987 as one of a team that hijacked a helicopter for a jailbreak at Gartree in Leicestershire.

McNamee was convicted for playing a part in the Hyde Park bombing. He was freed under the Good Friday Agreement and his conviction was overturned in December 1998.

McCotter was jailed for 15 years in June 1988 for conspiracy to cause explosions.

The Home Office denies liability and will argue that any injuries occurred during the escape bid.