Menu
11/02/2003
Sinn Fein leadership subpoenaed over Omagh bomb case
Three leading members of Sinn Fein are set to appear in court as part of a civil case being brought by the families of the Omagh bomb victims.
The subpoenas for MP's, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Pat Doherty are part of a civil action issued against five republicans – Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy, Seamus McKenna, and Seamus Daly – who are all accused of being involved in the Real IRA bombing which killed 29 people in 1998.
Two other alleged IRA leaders, Brian Gillen and Brian Keenan have also been issued with subpoenas.
While, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has always denied being a member of the Provisional IRA, the Omagh victims' lawyers claim he was present at five key meetings of the group’s ruling army council during 1996 and 1997 alongside McGuinness, Doherty, Gillen and Keenan.
These meetings are believed to have led to the resignation of McKevitt from the Provisional IRA following disagreements over the Northern Ireland peace process. This in turn led to the formation of the Real IRA of which McKevitt is the alleged commander.
A spokesman for the Omagh Victims Legal Fund said: "No-one is saying these men were responsible for Omagh, but they were present at five key meetings which led to McKevitt resigning and forming the Real IRA. They are material witnesses who can give evidence about McKevitt’s role in that."
So far, only two of the accused, McKevitt and Campbell, have said they will contest the case being brought against them.
Colm Murphy is the only person to be convicted in connection with the attack. He was sentenced last year to 14 years in prison for conspiracy.
(MB)
The subpoenas for MP's, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Pat Doherty are part of a civil action issued against five republicans – Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy, Seamus McKenna, and Seamus Daly – who are all accused of being involved in the Real IRA bombing which killed 29 people in 1998.
Two other alleged IRA leaders, Brian Gillen and Brian Keenan have also been issued with subpoenas.
While, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has always denied being a member of the Provisional IRA, the Omagh victims' lawyers claim he was present at five key meetings of the group’s ruling army council during 1996 and 1997 alongside McGuinness, Doherty, Gillen and Keenan.
These meetings are believed to have led to the resignation of McKevitt from the Provisional IRA following disagreements over the Northern Ireland peace process. This in turn led to the formation of the Real IRA of which McKevitt is the alleged commander.
A spokesman for the Omagh Victims Legal Fund said: "No-one is saying these men were responsible for Omagh, but they were present at five key meetings which led to McKevitt resigning and forming the Real IRA. They are material witnesses who can give evidence about McKevitt’s role in that."
So far, only two of the accused, McKevitt and Campbell, have said they will contest the case being brought against them.
Colm Murphy is the only person to be convicted in connection with the attack. He was sentenced last year to 14 years in prison for conspiracy.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
08 October 2002
Court hears RIRA and CIRA conspired in Omagh bomb
The Omagh bombing, which resulted in the deaths of 29 people in August 1998, was a joint operation between the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA, a Dublin court heard today.
Court hears RIRA and CIRA conspired in Omagh bomb
The Omagh bombing, which resulted in the deaths of 29 people in August 1998, was a joint operation between the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA, a Dublin court heard today.
08 August 2003
Government gives financial backing to Omagh victims
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Paul Murphy has announced plans to provide £800,000 to the families of the Omagh bomb victims in their fight to bring those responsible to justice. Only one person, Colm Murphy, has been convicted in connection to the Real IRA blast which killed 29 people in August 1998.
Government gives financial backing to Omagh victims
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Paul Murphy has announced plans to provide £800,000 to the families of the Omagh bomb victims in their fight to bring those responsible to justice. Only one person, Colm Murphy, has been convicted in connection to the Real IRA blast which killed 29 people in August 1998.
11 April 2003
Man arrested in connection with bomb alerts
A 44-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an investigation into over 150 bomb alerts in Omagh since 1998. The Letterkenny man was arrested following a joint investigation by the PSNI and Garda Siochana. He is currently being held at Lifford garda station in Co Donegal, where he can be detained for up to 72 hours.
Man arrested in connection with bomb alerts
A 44-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an investigation into over 150 bomb alerts in Omagh since 1998. The Letterkenny man was arrested following a joint investigation by the PSNI and Garda Siochana. He is currently being held at Lifford garda station in Co Donegal, where he can be detained for up to 72 hours.
26 August 2002
Omagh bomb compensation procedure slammed
Relatives of the victims of the Omagh bomb and those injured in the atrocity have hit out at the compensation procedure, with some calling it "appalling" and "humiliating". It has been revealed that some families of those killed by the Real IRA bomb on August 15 1998 have been offered as little as £7,500 in compensation for their loss.
Omagh bomb compensation procedure slammed
Relatives of the victims of the Omagh bomb and those injured in the atrocity have hit out at the compensation procedure, with some calling it "appalling" and "humiliating". It has been revealed that some families of those killed by the Real IRA bomb on August 15 1998 have been offered as little as £7,500 in compensation for their loss.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
