Five men being sued by Omagh bomb victims are set to be given a four-week deadline to bring in a new legal team, it emerged today.
Even though lawyers for Michael McKevitt and the other defendants have pulled out, the £14 million civil action by relatives of those killed in the bombing is proceeding.
In a hearing at the Northern Ireland High Court today barristers for the families taking the landmark case pressed for access to papers on criminal trials involving the five in the Republic.
But before Mr Justice Morgan makes any ruling on the request he signalled his intention to offer the men a solicitor, senior and junior counsel providing legal advice.
Although he will wait until barrister Mr Brett Lockhart, for the Omagh families, consults with senior QC Lord Brennan, the move is expected to be made in court tomorrow.
The men should be given until February 3rd to respond, it was suggested. If the offer is rejected Mr Justice Morgan may ask the Attorney General to become involved to ensure no contempt of court in any request to obtain papers from another jurisdiction.
McKevitt (54) was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in 2003 for running the "Real IRA", the organisation behind the Omagh boming which killed 29 people in the August 1998.
But after he lost a battle last year for legal aid to defend himself against the civil action, his barrister said it was impossible for them to defend the action.
Lawyers for the other four men, Seamus Daly, Seamus McKenna, Liam Campbell and Colm Murphy, have also ended their representation.
After Mr Lockhart expressed concern over any further delays in getting the case started, Mr Morgan insisted it was vital to get it right.
"Even though they are not here, if there's an obligation on this court to ensure the defendants have legal representation on this issue it's important they have it."