Omagh relatives try to shut 'Real IRA' website

Omagh bomb victims will today urge the US government to help them shut down a website linked to the terror group behind the atrocity…

Omagh bomb victims will today urge the US government to help them shut down a website linked to the terror group behind the atrocity.

Relatives of some of those murdered in the "Real IRA" massacre are today meeting the US consul general in Belfast, Dean Pittman.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among 29 people killed in the attack on Omagh, said the focus would be on winning Washington's backing for a move against a site promoting the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.

"The service provider is based in Toronto (Canada), but they have sister companies in the US," Mr Gallagher said.

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"When they put something up on the Internet they are broadcasting it into the US. We are asking the US government to talk to their Canadian cousins and say this website is contrary to the current climate of putting pressure on terrorists and terrorist supporters."

Mr Gallagher was in Toronto earlier this year as part of his campaign. He told them how the 32 County Sovereignty Movement was the "Real IRA"'s political wing.

The Omagh families will also use the meeting at Mr Pittman's offices to express their thanks for the US administration's support for their £14 million civil action against five men they suspect of plotting the August 1998 bombing.

The landmark case at the Northern Ireland High Court will not be heard, however, until after the trial of South Armagh electrician Sean Hoey - the man accused of the Omagh murders.

Mr Gallagher added: "We also want to thank them because it was an American FBI agent, David Rupert, who infiltrated the 'Real IRA' and was a key aspect in getting Michael McKevitt, its leader, convicted."