Real IRA leader 'to clear hurdle'

Michael McKevitt was jailed for 20 years

Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt seems set to clear the first hurdle in challenging a government donation to the Omagh bomb victims.

More than £750,000 was given to fund their £14m civil claim against him and four others.

The Real IRA carried out the 1998 atrocity in which 29 people died.

In the High Court in Belfast, Mr Justice Weatherup said he was "not minded" to refuse leave for an application for judicial review.

However, he said he required more detailed information dealing with delay in bringing the case.

During Friday's hearing, he adjourned McKevitt's application so lawyers could visit him in Portlaoise prison in the Republic of Ireland to draft an affidavit.

The Lord Chancellor authorised the payment in February last year, but McKevitt's lawyers claim the Access to Justice Order passed in 2003 is unlawful.

A defence lawyer said the funding decision impacted on McKevitt because the compensation case against him was state funded, yet the state had refused him legal aid.

McKevitt, 54, from Blackrock in County Louth, Seamus Daly, Seamus McKenna, Liam Campbell and Colm Murphy - have been refused legal laid to defend the case which led to their lawyers deciding to pull out.

In August 2003, McKevitt was jailed for 20 years in the Republic of Ireland after being found guilty of directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation.

His appeal is due to be heard in June.