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27/05/2004
Judge dismisses Real IRA charges
The Real IRA, the paramilitary terrorist group that carried out the bombing of Omagh that killed 29 people, is not a terrorist organisation, according to a judge's ruling yesterday.
In his ruling yesterday, Mr Justice Girvan sitting at Belfast Crown Court cleared four men of membership of the dissident Republican organisation, ruling that the pertinent legislation did not specifically proscribe the Real Irish Republican Army.
The four suspects, Sean Dillon (27) and Kevin Murphy (33) both from Coalisland, Donald Mullan (33) from Dungannon, and Brendan O'Connor (26) from Pomeroy, still face charges relating to conspiracy to murder and possession of a rocket launcher in February 2003.
Relatives of the victims of the Omagh bombing have expressed their disbelief at the ruling. Michael Gallagher, who lost his son in the attack, said he was "left without words" by the ruling.
The government, however, has expressed its concern at the ruling that the Real IRA is not a proscribed organisation under Section 3 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
A Northern Ireland Office spokesman said: "The government is very concerned at this ruling and the DPP is forwarding a report to the Attorney General with a view to an appeal. The government is clear that RIRA should be a proscribed organisation."
A splinter dissident paramilitary group, the Real IRA, broke away from the Provisional IRA, in 1997 over disagreement with the decision by Sinn Fein to attempt to pursue a political resolution through the Good Friday Agreement and a continued Republican paramilitary ceasefire.
(SP)
In his ruling yesterday, Mr Justice Girvan sitting at Belfast Crown Court cleared four men of membership of the dissident Republican organisation, ruling that the pertinent legislation did not specifically proscribe the Real Irish Republican Army.
The four suspects, Sean Dillon (27) and Kevin Murphy (33) both from Coalisland, Donald Mullan (33) from Dungannon, and Brendan O'Connor (26) from Pomeroy, still face charges relating to conspiracy to murder and possession of a rocket launcher in February 2003.
Relatives of the victims of the Omagh bombing have expressed their disbelief at the ruling. Michael Gallagher, who lost his son in the attack, said he was "left without words" by the ruling.
The government, however, has expressed its concern at the ruling that the Real IRA is not a proscribed organisation under Section 3 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
A Northern Ireland Office spokesman said: "The government is very concerned at this ruling and the DPP is forwarding a report to the Attorney General with a view to an appeal. The government is clear that RIRA should be a proscribed organisation."
A splinter dissident paramilitary group, the Real IRA, broke away from the Provisional IRA, in 1997 over disagreement with the decision by Sinn Fein to attempt to pursue a political resolution through the Good Friday Agreement and a continued Republican paramilitary ceasefire.
(SP)
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17 May 2005
Police question man in connection with Omagh bombing
A man from the Armagh area has been arrested in connection with police inquiries into the 1998 Omagh bombing. A police spokesperson said that the 37-year-old who was arrested today is being questioned at Antrim police station. Earlier this month, police charged Sean Gerard Hoey, 35, from south Armagh with murder in connection with the bombing.
Police question man in connection with Omagh bombing
A man from the Armagh area has been arrested in connection with police inquiries into the 1998 Omagh bombing. A police spokesperson said that the 37-year-old who was arrested today is being questioned at Antrim police station. Earlier this month, police charged Sean Gerard Hoey, 35, from south Armagh with murder in connection with the bombing.
11 January 2013
Omagh Bomb Men Seek To Overturn Ruling
Two men held responsible for the Omagh bombing in 1998 are seeking to have the ruling overturned by the European Court of Human Rights. Jailed Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt and Liam Campbell are to challenge the ruling, due reportedly to their lawyers’ inability to cross-examine an FBI spy whose evidence was central to the case against them.
Omagh Bomb Men Seek To Overturn Ruling
Two men held responsible for the Omagh bombing in 1998 are seeking to have the ruling overturned by the European Court of Human Rights. Jailed Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt and Liam Campbell are to challenge the ruling, due reportedly to their lawyers’ inability to cross-examine an FBI spy whose evidence was central to the case against them.
30 June 2004
Appeal Court rules 'Real' IRA is an illegal organisation
The Court of Appeal in Belfast, overturning an earlier Crown Court decision, has ruled that the 'Real' IRA is an illegal terrorist organisation.
Appeal Court rules 'Real' IRA is an illegal organisation
The Court of Appeal in Belfast, overturning an earlier Crown Court decision, has ruled that the 'Real' IRA is an illegal terrorist organisation.
08 April 2014
Man Arrested In Connection With Omagh Bombing
A man has been arrested in connection with the 1998 Omagh bombing. Police arrested the man in Newry area, and say he is being held and questioned in Antrim. Twenty-nine people were killed in the Real IRA attack of 15 August 1998. The bombing has been described as the single worst atrocity in over 30 years of violence.
Man Arrested In Connection With Omagh Bombing
A man has been arrested in connection with the 1998 Omagh bombing. Police arrested the man in Newry area, and say he is being held and questioned in Antrim. Twenty-nine people were killed in the Real IRA attack of 15 August 1998. The bombing has been described as the single worst atrocity in over 30 years of violence.
10 November 2009
Protection For NI Judges Increased
Armed police are protecting some of Ulster's top judges around the clock amid a heightened threat from dissident republicans, it has been revealed. Security measures were stepped-up last month after terrorists managed to track down the location of a serving judge and his wife, who were dining in Limavady.
Protection For NI Judges Increased
Armed police are protecting some of Ulster's top judges around the clock amid a heightened threat from dissident republicans, it has been revealed. Security measures were stepped-up last month after terrorists managed to track down the location of a serving judge and his wife, who were dining in Limavady.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with outbreaks of mainly light rain at times, although there may be the odd heavier burst. Driest in the south and east during the afternoon. Moderate southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying cloudy throughout the evening and overnight period with a little rain or drizzle at times. Mild overnight with light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
