Two Omagh suspects challenge legal action

Two of the men suspected of carrying out the Omagh bomb outrage are challenging legal action against them, it emerged tonight.

Lawyers representing Liam Campbell and Michael McKevitt lodged papers with the Northern Ireland High Court in Belfast declaring their intention to defend themselves.

Some of the Omagh families have launched a £1.5m (€2.35m) bid to sue those they claim were behind the attack.

The August 1998 bombing killed 29 people, including a woman heavily pregnant with twins. Nobody has been charged with any of the murders.

The hearing is expected to go ahead next year once all the paperwork is completed.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed in the blast, said tonight: “This is what we want.

“It would have been very flat with just our side but this will make for a very interesting case.

“Both sides have a right to tell their story and we are putting our faith in the justice system.”

Lawyers representing Campbell, 38, and McKevitt, 51, refused to comment on the action.

“I never become involved in discussions unless instructed or authorised by my client,” Campbell’s solicitor said.

Civil writs seeking compensation were served on five men alleged to be linked to the Real IRA, the terror organisation responsible for the atrocity. They are:

:: McKevitt of Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth

:: Campbell of Mount Pleasant, Dundalk, Co Louth

:: Seamus McKenna of Silverbridge, Newry, Co Down

:: Michael Colm Murphy of Ravensdale, Dundalk, Co Louth

:: Seamus Daly of Culloville, near Castleblaney, Co Monaghan.

Murphy, 49, a wealthy publican and builder, received a 14-year jail sentence earlier this year for plotting to cause an explosion at the time of the Omagh bomb.

A lawyer representing the Omagh families served writs on the men last month.

They were given 14 days to respond, but so far only McKevitt and Campbell have indicated their intention to appear in court.

Both men are being held in Portlaoise prison on terrorist offences unconnected with Omagh.

They accepted the writs when a lawyer went to their cells last month, but Murphy, who is also being held there, refused.

McKevitt is awaiting trial and Campbell is serving five years for membership of an illegal group after Special Branch officers raided his home where an underground bunker concealing walkie talkies, radio scanner and cash were discovered.

A memorandum of appearance was lodged with the High Court on behalf of the men earlier this month.

A statement issued tonight on behalf of the Omagh Victims’ Legal Trust and their solicitors, the London-based firm H2O, hailed the move as a great step forward.

“All along we have wanted to see the defendants face justice,” it said.

“We would like to thank all those who have helped us to get so far. This campaign is simply abut justice.

“At this stage the trust and H2O have no intention of making any further statement.”