Double agent to give evidence in Omagh civil case

“Superspy” David Rupert will be a key witness in the Omagh bomb victims’ civil case against those suspected of carrying out the Real IRA atrocity, it emerged today.

The trucking company boss-turned double agent was a major player in the conviction of Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt last year.

He will be giving evidence against five men suspected of the August 1998 bombing, in a landmark civil action.

A preliminary hearing is due to take place in Belfast High Court tomorrow. Families and relatives of victims are hoping the case will be heard at the end of the summer.

Michael Gallager, whose son Aidan was among the 29 killed, said confirmation that Rupert was taking part in the case was fantastic news.

“It is a massive leap forward for the families,” he said. “It is enormous news and we are very pleased.”

Seamus Daly, Seamus McKenna, Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell and Colm Murphy are being sued for £10m (€14m) by the Omagh Victims Civil Action Group.

Daly, McKevitt, Campbell and Murphy – the only one to be convicted in connection with the Omagh bombing – are serving sentences in the Irish Republic for Real IRA membership.

Murphy, a Dundalk-based builder and publican, was sentenced to 14 years in January 2002 for plotting the Omagh attack.

Real IRA leader McKevitt was jailed for 20 years last August for directing terrorism, while Campbell was jailed for five years in October 2001.

Solicitors acting for the victims’ group served writs on each of the five suspects in 2002.