Now back families’ civil action, urges Mandelson

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson tonight appealed for financial backing for a High Court civil action being brought against suspects in the Omagh bombing by relatives of the victims.

In the wake of the conviction earlier today at a Special Criminal Court in Dublin of Colm Murphy for conspiring to cause the bombing, Mr Mandelson said in a statement: ‘‘This conviction is a great relief and is a step forward in bringing justice for the Omagh victims.’’

But other suspects were still walking free, the Hartlepool MP said.

Mr Mandelson continued: ‘‘The Omagh victims are planning a civil action for compensation against these individuals and are raising funds to do so.

‘‘Anyone who wants to back them and help bring justice to Omagh can do so by sending cheques to the Omagh Victims Legal Trust, 56 Wendover Court, Chiltern Street, London W1U 7NE, or to the Bank of Ireland, Omagh, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland.’’