RELATIVES of a jailed IRA bomber are to start a legal bid to sue police for their alleged unlawful arrest.

Terrorist Sean McNulty's mother, his uncle and a former girlfriend are claiming damages against Northumbria Police at the High Court in Newcastle.

Members of McNulty's family and friends issued a writ in London against the force in 1999. It is believed they are claiming unlawful arrest and detention, and in some cases malicious prosecution, following the IRA bombings that rocked Tyneside in 1993.

Northumbria Police is contesting the action.

McNulty, then aged 25, was jailed for 25 years at the Old Bailey in August 1994 for causing explosions aimed at killing and bringing terror to the streets of Tyneside.

He carried out two Semtex bomb attacks on the Esso oil terminal in North Shields, and one at a gas holder in Dunston, Gateshead.

His parents, Dot and Bernard, uncle Niall and sister Annette Walker were held for questioning for seven days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act on suspicion of withholding evidence.

McNulty's girlfriend at the time, Susan Hunter, was also arrested and detained for three days during the questioning. She is claiming damages for the trauma she said she suffered during her detention.

Dot, Bernard and Niall spent three months behind bars, but days before the trial was due to start at the Old Bailey, prosecutors dropped the case.

Bernard McNulty, 49, died of a heart attack while on bail.

McNulty, 35, now said to be living in Ireland, was one of 78 men freed from Ulster's Maze prison in 2000 as part of the Good Friday agreement.

A Northumbria police spokeswoman said: "A defence will be filed and the case is continuing. We cannot comment further at this stage."

A High Court spokesman in Newcastle said: "The case has been listed to take place in Newcastle on February 3. It is scheduled to last 13 days."