Omagh Bombing: McKevitt & 3 others found guilty of bombing in Civil Action...

[MsAnneThrope]

McKevitt 'reponsible' for Omagh

Former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt was today found to be responsible for the 1998 Omagh bombing by a judge in a landmark civil case brought by victims families.

Three other men — Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly — were also found liable for the attack, but Seamus McKenna was cleared of involvement.

Judge Mr Justice Morgan awarded more than £1.6 million in damages to the 12 named relatives who took the action.

[mothball]

That was unexpected.
I wonder what evidence they had. I always thought it would be difficult to sue someone you couldn’t prove was involved in a certain incident. I expect the decision will be challenged and not much will come out of it.

[corelli]

Already a thread down below. Mods. feel free to merge!

[groundhog day]

Not unexpected at all given that the courts bent over backwards to accommodate the plaintiffs and allowed all sorts of prejudicial evidence to be admitted, but agree it probably will be challenged.

[corelli]

That was unexpected.
I wonder what evidence they had. I always thought it would be difficult to sue someone you couldn’t prove was involved in a certain incident. I expect the decision will be challenged and not much will come out of it.

It's a different standard of proof in civil proceedings. Balance of probabilities rather than beyond reasonable doubt.

[MsAnneThrope]

Original amount of the action was £14,000,000. Suggestions been made the amounts awarded won't be as high due to the means of the guilty men. Ruling is still underway...

[haddockman]

Also I don't rate their chances of getting any money out of him or the RIRA.

[MsAnneThrope]

Slightly off-topic while waiting for details of the settlement but what has become of Sean Hoey? Didn't he say he was going to take his own civil action(s) against relatives of the victims and the Public Prosecution Service?

[groundhog day]

Slightly off-topic while waiting for details of the settlement but what has become of Sean Hoey? Didn't he say he was going to take his own civil action(s) against relatives of the victims and the Public Prosecution Service?

Action against PSNI/PPS no doubt will be settled "on terms endorsed" and we'll never hear about it.

[Phinaeus]

This is fantastic news: I salute the Omagh relatives for their courage and tenacity. And it is indeed a landmark judgement as it now opens the way for other victims to take civil actions against paramilitary groups and their associates. I hope Sinn Fein has very large coffers.