Real IRA member receives five-year sentence

A criminal court in Dublin has found a man guilty of membership of the Real IRA, the group who claimed responsibility for the Omagh bombing in August 1998 which claimed 29 lives.

Liam Campbell, 39, from County Louth, was convicted of being a member of the outlawed organisation and sentenced at Dublin’s Special Criminal Court on Tuesday October 23. Campbell is one of five men being sued for compensation by the relatives of the Omagh victims.

Sentencing the father of two, Mr Justice Barr said the Real IRA had been engaged in much criminal activity since 1997, when it broke away from the Provisional IRA.

He added: “That conduct amounts to a grievous crime against the people of Ireland, north and south. Membership constitutes a serious criminal offence.”

After his arrest, Campbell declined to answer questions relating to his membership of an illegal organisation.

The conviction has been welcomed by families of victims of the RIRA’s Omagh bombing who are pursuing a civil action against the RIRA for the worst atrocity ever committed in the Troubles. Michael Gallagher, speaking on behalf of the families, said: “This verdict should remind people that the Real IRA terrorists still stalk our streets. One of its members now faces time behind bars, but others still walk free. We are heartened by today's verdict which strengthens our resolve to fight on with our civil action to bring those responsible for Omagh to justice.”

The case against Mr Campbell consisted of the opinion of Garda Chief Superintendent Michael Finnegan, interviews carried out by police after his arrest and items that were found during a search of his home.

Mr Campbell was refused leave to appeal against his conviction and sentence. (AMcE)