The FBI superspy who took down Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt said he hopes his death brings solace to the lives destroyed by the dissident chief s reign of terror.
David Rupert, who infiltrated the Real IRA before turning State witness in one of the biggest undercover agent operations in history, added that peace was the only way forward for those still hurting from McKevitt s violence.
The 71-year-old former terror leader after a long battle with cancer. Read More
He was diagnosed with the terminal illness while still serving a 20-year prison sentence in the Republic for directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation handed down to him after Mr Rupert s supergrass evidence put him behind bars.
THE leading campaigner for those who died in the horrific Omagh bombing said the death of Michael McKevitt should not stop the search for justice.
Michael Gallagher’s son Aiden was among the 31 people killed by the terrorist bomb planted by republican dissidents led by McKevitt.
Last night he told the Sunday World that, unlike those killed in the blast, McKevitt had the comfort of dying naturally.
“Here we are coming up to our 23
rd year and not one person has been convicted of murder at Omagh. Not one person has served a day behind bars for the Omagh bombing.”
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The founder of the Real IRA, Michael McKevitt, has died in hospital following a long battle with cancer.
The 71-year-old - one of four men found liable for the Omagh bombing following a landmark civil action by relatives of some of the victims - died at Dublin s Beaumont Hospital yesterday. Family members were at his bedside.
McKevitt was married to Bernadette Sands-McKevitt, a sister of 1981 hunger striker and MP Bobby Sands.
Senior security sources expressed concerns yesterday at his expected military funeral and about how gardaí would ensure mourners accede to Covid guidelines .
One senior source has confirmed there would be a garda presence at McKevitt s funeral given his criminal background and because of adherence to funeral regulations during the pandemic.