Omagh verdict to be challenged
An alleged Real IRA chief who was undefended at the Omagh bomb civil action has instructed lawyers to represent him in a planned appeal against the verdict.
Liam Campbell, 46, has enlisted Belfast firm Kevin R Winters and Co to challenge a finding that he was one of those responsible for the atrocity which claimed 29 lives.
A decision on whether all four men held liable can proceed with appeals now depends on the outcome of a hearing next month to determine legal aid applications.
In a landmark ruling in June 2009 Mr Justice Morgan, now the Lord Chief Justice, ordered that more than £1.6m in total should be paid out to 12 relatives who sued over the August 1998 massacre.
Campbell, who is currently in custody facing a bid to have him extradited to Lithuania on arms smuggling charges, was held to be a member of the Real IRA’s Army Council at the time of the bombing.
He initially directed lawyers to defend him at the civil trial before instructing them to withdraw from proceedings at an early stage.
But it was confirmed on Friday that he has taken on new representation for the anticipated challenge to the outcome.
His lawyer, Kevin Winters, said: “Mr Campbell was deprived of the chance to have legal representation at the first hearing, he rejects completely the findings made against him and now wants to contest the judgment on appeal. Hence our engagement.”
The others found responsible for the bombing following a year-long trial were jailed Real IRA chief Michael McKevitt, Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly.
Whether or not any of their appeals can go ahead rests with the Legal Services Commission.
Victims families awarded compensation are also still waiting to hear if they will receive exceptional funding to contest the level of damages.
Judges in the Court of Appeal were told that a resolution to the issue is expected following a committee meeting on March 5.
Lord Justice Higgins directed that, if an appeal was going ahead, lawyers were to prepare a schedule of all transcripts being sought from the original trial.
