The Omagh bomb civil case, now in its eleventh week, has heard statements from David Rupert, the American spy who infiltrated the world of Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt. According to Rupert, the Real IRA chief wanted to launch a new dissident offensive with a first strike that would overshadow the Omagh bombing. He was sentenced to a 20 year jail term in the Republic in 2003 for membership of an illegal organisation and directing terrorism. The prosecution was based on the testimony of FBI agent Rupert. Referring to the Omaghbomb, McKevitt allegedly described the Omagh atrocity as a joint RIRA-CIRA operation, with the Continuity responsible for 80 per cent of it.
McKevitt, a native of county Louth, is being sued, along dissident republicans Colm Murphy, Liam Campbell, Seamus Daly and Seamus McKenna by six families of victims of the Omagh bomb. They believe the five men are responsible for the death of the 29 people and unborn twins as well as injury to hundreds of others as a result of the Real IRA bomb blast on August 15, 1998. The Omagh families have sought recourse to a civil action as they believe no-one will ever be convicted in a criminal court of law. They are seeking punitive and exemplary damages in this court action.
The American will not be attending the trial because of security concerns but his evidence has been deemed admissible. The statements read to the trial related that McKevitt told of his plans and aspirations that included to launch 'cyberterrorism,' recruit a former member of the French Foreign Legion who would be perfect for assassinating a high-profile target such as Britain's former Prime Minister Tony Blair and take the 'war' to the heartland of London.
The High Court heard detailed accounts of his alleged meetings with McKevitt after they were first introduced in a county Monaghan hotel in August 1999, one year after the Omagh bombing. Brett Lockhart QC, representing the families, read out a statement in which Rupert said it had been apparent immediately that McKevitt was in charge.
It was claimed he told the American that a ceasefire called in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing was a purely tactical move to allow time to regroup and reorganise. Liam Campbell, who is also being sued, was alleged to be McKevitt's number two and a former member of the Provisional IRA before being court-martialed by the organisation. Rupert also claimed to have met Colm Murphy but despite being shown photographs of the other two men being sued, Seamus Daly and Seamus McKenna, he said he did not recognise them.
Other statements from Rupert told of meetings with McKevitt which turned into a 'think tank' were they listed what materials were needed including mercury switches, lap tops to send bomb warnings, marine gadgets, voice modulators and night vision goggles to detect any bugs on their cars.
The trial continues.
