A HIGH-PROFILE dissident republican wanted in Lithuania over weapons smuggling allegations has been granted bail, his lawyer confirmed last night.
But Liam Campbell remains in prison while checks are carried out on proposed sureties totalling £75,000.
The 49-year-old, of Upper Faughart, Dundalk, was one of the men held liable for the Omagh bombing in a landmark civil action.
He has spent nearly four years behind bars as Lithuanian authorities attempted to have him extradited to face charges linked to an operation to acquire guns, ammunition and explosives and ship them into Ireland.
Two courts have so far refused to authorise the move due to concerns he would be held in inhuman and degrading conditions in the Baltic state.
Lawyers for the Republic of Lithuania are now planning a further appeal to the Supreme Court in London.
Earlier this week senior judges in Belfast agreed to certify a point of law of general public importance for the challenge to proceed.
It means the Supreme Court will now decide whether to hear the appeal.
Meanwhile, Campbell’s solicitor Kevin Winters confirmed that bail was granted at Belfast Recorder’s Court.
“The only outstanding matter now is the perfection of bail,” he said.
Two sureties of £50,000 and £25,000 have been advanced to allay any fears that Campbell may flee once released from HMP Maghaberry.
Checks on those prepared to put up the financial guarantees are ongoing.
Mr Winters added: “We expect Mr Campbell to be in a position to perfect bail tomorrow at some stage.
“This has been a lengthy and stressful court battle that has taken almost four years to reach this conclusion.
“In many ways, the decision is long overdue.”
Campbell has been in custody since he was arrested after crossing the border into south Armagh in May 2009.
A month later he was found liable, along with convicted Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt, for the Omagh bombing.
That ruling followed a lawsuit brought by relatives of some of the 29 people killed in the August 1998 atrocity.
According to the judge at the time, there was cogent evidence that Campbell was a member of the Real IRA’s Army Council.
Two other men originally held responsible – Dundalk-based builder and publican Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly, from Culaville, Co Monaghan – are currently facing a civil retrial after the findings against them were overturned on appeal.
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