Omagh civil action back in Dublin

Six families are taking the case

A landmark civil action being taken by six of the families who lost loved ones in the Omagh bombing reopened in Dublin on Tuesday.

The court heard Colm Murphy, one of those whom the families believe was responsible, said the attack was "an atrocity" while in Garda custody.

Detective Garda James Hanley told the court that Mr Murphy called the attack "a tragedy" and then "an atrocity".

The detective told the court that Mr Murphy denied ever being in Omagh.

However, Garda Hanley said Mr Murphy said he would have to consult with his solicitor when asked about how his phone came to be in the County Tyrone town.

Earlier, Mr Murphy's lawyer told the court that his client's contention was that his garda interviews were "a concoction".

The families are suing five men, including alleged Real IRA leader, Michael McKevitt who is in jail in the Republic for directing terrorism.

McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Mr Murphy, Seamus McKenna and Seamus Daly, all deny any involvement in the explosion.

In the 1998 bomb, 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, died.

Nobody can be jailed in a civil case but the judge can reach a verdict on the basis of probability about what happened on that day.