John Downey, 66, did not attend an historic first hearing at London’s High Court yesterday and was not even represented.
But lawyers for the victims’ families were told a trial to hear their civil claim against the IRA man was now set for October 2019.
It will seek to prove once and for all that Downey was behind the 1982 central London atrocity which killed four Household Cavalry soldiers at a military ceremony.
And if they win, Downey could be forced to hand over tens of thousands of pounds in damages.
News of the trial, which will be heard before a High Court judge, is a landmark moment in the Hyde Park Justice Campaign staunchly backed by The Sun.
The campaign was refused help from the Legal Aid Agency to fund the case five times before our readers raised £85,000.
Under huge pressure, the LAA finally caved in — paving the way for yesterday’s hearing before Master Richard Davison.
The case is the first major move against Downey since his Old Bailey criminal trial collapsed in 2014. Police and government mistakes meant he had wrongly been sent a letter promising immunity from prosecution under the Good Friday Agreement.
Downey, who insists he is innocent, ignored a last chance to settle in July. The families demanded he pay £40,000 to a veterans’ charity, admit his role in the car bomb and formally apologise but he did not respond.
Yesterday it was said he told the court he would not take part in the case. Anne Studd QC, for the families, said: “He has submitted a defence where he puts forward a number of matters and issues, although he says he is not going to participate.”
The court was given details of his assets, which could be targeted if he loses. Lawyers said he had two properties in Ireland. He has recently sold part of one to an unknown buyer and transferred part of the other to his wife.
Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young, 19, Corporal Roy Bright, 36, Trooper Simon Tipper, 19, and Lieutenant Anthony Daly, 23, died and 31 were hurt in the bombing. Seven cavalry horses were also slaughtered.
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