Omagh lawyers meet minister

Twenty-nine people died in Omagh bombing in August 1998

Lawyers representing the families of the Omagh bomb victims have met the Irish Republic's Minister for Justice in Dublin.

Michael McDowell was asked to allow police experts to testify in a civil action being taken by the relatives against five men whom they believe were involved in the bombing.

Twenty-nine people died in August 1998 in the Real IRA bombing of the County Tyrone town, which was the worst single atrocity in 30 years of violence in Northern Ireland.

In 2002, solicitors acting on behalf of the Omagh Victims' Civil Action Group served writs on five people suspected of involvement in the bombing, seeking £10m in damages.

The legal documents were given to Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, and Colm Murphy in Portlaoise Jail.

Solicitor Jason McCue visited the border town of Dundalk in the Irish Republic in July 2002 to serve writs on two other people, Seamus Daly and Seamus McKenna.

During Tuesday's meeting, lawyers representing the families asked for transcripts of the recent trial of the Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt who is serving 20 years in Portlaoise Prison for directing terrorism.

Michael McDowell: Offer of help to relatives

Afterwards, Mr McDowell said the Irish Government was willing to offer what help it could.

Last month, the families' legal action received a boost when the UK Government announced it would give £800,000 towards the cost of the case.

It is understood to be the first time the government has helped to fund a civil prosecution and a government spokesman said it was because the situation was "totally exceptional".

In January 2002, father-of-four Colm Murphy became the only person to be convicted of plotting the Omagh bombing.

The Special Criminal Court in Dublin sentenced the Dundalk-based builder and publican to 14 years in jail.