THE REAL IRA leader who was found liable for the Omagh bombing will appear before the Smithwick Tribunal today.

Michael McKevitt, who is currently in jail serving a 20-year sentence for directing terrorism, will appear at the Special Criminal Court today, BBC News reports.

The Smithwick Tribunal is investigating the claims of garda collusion with the IRA in relation to the 20 March 1989 murder of two RUC officers, Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan.

RTÉ reports that heavy security is expected at the court for the hearing today.

News Letter reports that the tribunal was supposed to sit yesterday but former assistant garda commissioner Kevin Carty, who was due to speak, failed to turn up.

He sent an unsigned medical note in his absence.

McKevitt was one of four dissident republicans sued by relatives of victims of the 1998 Omagh bombing.

McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Seamus Daly and Colm Murphy were sued for £1.6 million (€1.9 million) compensation and were found liable for the bombing.

McKevitt lost his appeal into the decision earlier this year, while the appeals from Daly and Murphy were upheld.

Read: Dissidents sued over Omagh bombing due to begin appeal>

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