Irish judge pauses extradition case for man found liable for Omagh bomb

The judge in the case involving the extradition of Liam Campbell, who was found civilly liable for the Omagh bombing, is to take a number of weeks to consider issues before formally ordering his extradition to Lithuania.
MoD image showing the aerial view of the devastation wreaked by the Omagh bomb in 1998MoD image showing the aerial view of the devastation wreaked by the Omagh bomb in 1998
MoD image showing the aerial view of the devastation wreaked by the Omagh bomb in 1998

Mr Campbell was arrested in Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co Louth on December 2, 2016, on foot of a second European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by Lithuanian authorities.

His arrest warrant stated that he allegedly organised the preparation for the smuggling of weapons in support of the “terrorist grouping” the Real IRA (RIRA) between the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The warrant included charges including being engaged in terrorism and preparing to smuggle items including firearms and explosive substances and attempting to acquire weapons, ammunition, explosives and items including detonators, and timers.

Mr Campbell appeared in the High Court in Dublin today where the judge was set to formally order his extradition.

He wore a white shirt and a face mask.

Patrick McGrath for the State said there is “no mystery or lack of clarity to the facts applied in this particular case”.

Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly said she wanted to consider a few issues about the case and ordered Mr Campbell to appear before the court again in three weeks’ time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Justice Donnelly said: “I’m going to consider some matters and should hopefully be in a position to decide in three weeks’ time.”

It was not clear exactly what these matters are.

The Omagh bomb killed 29 people on August 15, 1998, plus a pair of unborn twins.

The matter of Mr Campbell’s extradition hit the headlines during last week when councillors on Omagh and Fermanagh District Council voted against the principle of extraditing him.

The motion was put before the council’s policy and resources committee by independent councillor Bernice Swift, opposing the idea of handing Mr Campbell over on human rights grounds.

It passed by a margin of 23 to 14, with one abstention.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sinn Fein and SDLP councillors backed it – but it could yet be overturned when it comes before a meeting of the full council.

Despite receiving the backing of SDLP councillors in the committee itself, the party heirachy mounted a quick about-face, condeming the motion and pledging not to back it when it comes before the full council.

SDLP group leader on the council Mary Garrity said: “The decision to support this motion at a Fermanagh and Omagh District Council committee meeting was wrong.

“I acknowledge the pain and hurt the decision has caused ... particularly to the Omagh bomb families and I want to apologise unreservedly.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It remains to be seen how the full council meeting later this month will go. The council currently has 15 unionist councillors. Added to that are 15 Sinn Fein councillors, five SDLP and six indepdent or single party members.

UUP group leader on the council, councillor Victor Warrington, told the News Letter that even if all five SDLP councillors turn up and then vote against the motion, it will still be “too close to close call”.

He added: “The Omagh bomb killed both local Catholics and Protestants, as well as people from Spain, Donegal and England ... This [motion] has caused immense hurt.”