13/03/2008

McKevitt Granted Legal Aid

A convicted 'Real IRA' leader has been granted full legal aid to defend the multi-million pound Omagh bomb compensation case.

Michael McKevitt, 58, is awaiting judgement in an appeal against a conviction in the Irish Republic for directing terrorism.

He is one of five people named in the civil action being brought by relatives of some of the 29 bomb victims.

While no one has been convicted of the atrocity, the families are suing the men they suspect of running the RIRA.

The Omagh families' £14m civil case has been taken against convicted McKevitt and four other men: Seamus Daly, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy and Seamus McKenna.

The High Court civil action is due to begin next month.

(BMcC)


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