Families of victims of the Omagh bomb welcomed reports today that FBI agentDavid Rupert may testify against Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt in a civilaction.
Relatives said the move would be a "big shot in the arm" for their legalcase against McKevitt and four other alleged terrorists.
Mr Rupert was the star prosecution witness in the trial of McKevitt, who wassentenced to 20 years in jail last week after being convicted of mastermindingthe group behind the Omagh bomb outrage.
A report in today's Sunday Times quoted an FBI source as saying there wereindications the agent would now testify for the families.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden (correct) was killed in Omagh,said he would welcome such a move.
He said: "I've seen David Rupert in action in the Special Criminal Court inDublin and he's a very impressive witness.
"If this story is true I think it certainly would be a big shot in the armfor our civil action case."Stanley McCombe, whose wife Ann died in the explosion, said he would bedelighted if Rupert gave evidence."He has been a major player in getting McKevitt sent down for 20 years," hesaid.
"He's the guy who's got all the information, he's in the know."Obviously we would be delighted if he was to testify."
The families of some of the 29 people murdered in the 1998 bombing areclaiming damages in a civil action against McKevitt and four other men.
They have served writs to McKevitt, Liam Campbell and Colm Murphy - all ofwhom are in jail for terrorist offences - as well as Seamus Daly and SeamusMcKenna.
Although McKevitt was jailed for directing terrorism and being a member of theReal IRA the charges did not cover the date of the Omagh bombing.
Former trucking company boss David Rupert was paid 1.25 million US dollars (Euro 1.103m)to infiltrate his terror group and revealed in court McKevitt's plansto launch new paramilitary strikes even more shocking than Omagh.
The 6ft 5in 20-stone informer is now living in a secret location as aprotected witness.