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Real IRA chief to blame for Omagh Real IRA chief to blame for Omagh
(20 minutes later)
Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt was responsible for the 1998 Omagh bomb, a judge has found.Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt was responsible for the 1998 Omagh bomb, a judge has found.
Mr Justice Morgan made the ruling after a landmark civil case brought by some of the families of the victims of the atrocity.Mr Justice Morgan made the ruling after a landmark civil case brought by some of the families of the victims of the atrocity.
Three others - Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy, and Seamus Daly - were also found liable for the attack. Seamus McKenna was cleared of responsibility. Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy, and Seamus Daly - were also found liable for the attack. Seamus McKenna was cleared.
Twenty-nine people and unborn twins died in the attack 11 years ago. The 12 relatives were awarded more than £1.6m in damages for the attack in which 29 people and unborn twins died.
No-one has ever been convicted in a criminal court of causing the bombing. Mr Justice Morgan also found dissident republican organisation the Real IRA liable for the bomb.
No-one has ever been convicted in a criminal court of causing the deaths.
The only man to face criminal charges over the Omagh killings, 38-year-old Sean Hoey from Jonesborough in South Armagh, was acquitted in 2007.
The families brought the multi-million pound action in an attempt to bring fresh information about the atrocity to light.
Civil cases have a much lower burden of proof, with the judge reaching his verdict on the balance of probabilities. In criminal law, guilt must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.Civil cases have a much lower burden of proof, with the judge reaching his verdict on the balance of probabilities. In criminal law, guilt must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Vincent Kearney, NI Home Affairs correspondent None of the men being sued has the capacity to pay out any kind of large-scale payment.Vincent Kearney, NI Home Affairs correspondent None of the men being sued has the capacity to pay out any kind of large-scale payment.
From the start the families made clear the civil action was a vehicle for putting as much information as possible into the public domain about the bombing and the men they claim were involved.From the start the families made clear the civil action was a vehicle for putting as much information as possible into the public domain about the bombing and the men they claim were involved.
It is not a criminal case and no-one will be jailed. Case that broke new legal ground Omagh families' harrowing ordealIt is not a criminal case and no-one will be jailed. Case that broke new legal ground Omagh families' harrowing ordeal
In an unprecedented step, the hearing was relocated from Belfast to the Supreme Court in Dublin in May so that evidence could be heard from Irish police officers.In an unprecedented step, the hearing was relocated from Belfast to the Supreme Court in Dublin in May so that evidence could be heard from Irish police officers.
It was the first time a judge from Northern Ireland had travelled to the Republic of Ireland on official business.It was the first time a judge from Northern Ireland had travelled to the Republic of Ireland on official business.
The case was also the first time that the British government had helped to fund a civil action.The case was also the first time that the British government had helped to fund a civil action.
In 2003 it contributed £800,000 towards the £1.5m needed to launch the action.In 2003 it contributed £800,000 towards the £1.5m needed to launch the action.
THE MEN SUED BY THE OMAGH FAMILIES
  • Michael McKevitt - Co Louth
  • Colm Murphy - Co Louth
  • Liam Campbell - Co Louth
  • Seamus McKenna - Co Armagh
  • Seamus Daly - Co Monaghan
    • The men sued by the Omagh families    		THE MEN SUED BY THE OMAGH FAMILIES
  • Michael McKevitt - Co Louth
  • Colm Murphy - Co Louth
  • Liam Campbell - Co Louth
  • Seamus McKenna - Co Armagh
  • Seamus Daly - Co Monaghan
    • The men sued by the Omagh families
    In 2008 two of the respondents lodged an appeal against exceptional legal aid being granted to the victims' families.In 2008 two of the respondents lodged an appeal against exceptional legal aid being granted to the victims' families.
    They said a public pledge of financial assistance to the families ahead of any legal authorisation was predetermining the outcome of the legal process.They said a public pledge of financial assistance to the families ahead of any legal authorisation was predetermining the outcome of the legal process.
    But the Court of Appeal ruled it could not be assumed the government had abandoned its fair and independent judgement.But the Court of Appeal ruled it could not be assumed the government had abandoned its fair and independent judgement.