BT/0921

Bid to charge Omagh suspect
Relatives hail new police probe
By Jonathan McCambridge and Tom Brady

A MAJOR cross-border police investigation is under way in an effort to bring criminal charges linked to the Omagh bomb against another Real IRA suspect, it can be revealed today.
Gardai are assisting the PSNI, which is spearheading the latest attempt to prosecute dissident republicans responsible for the August 1998 blast in which 29 people and unborn twins lost their lives.
It is understood the suspect is serving a jail sentence in the Republic for a separate offence, but has been on the wanted list for Omagh since shortly after both police forces began their inquiries.
Senior PSNI officers are preparing a file on the suspect and it will reflect the outcome of investigations carried out on both sides of the border. The completed file will go to the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland, who will then determine if criminal charges should be brought and the suspect's extradition sought after he has completed his sentence in the Republic.
Victor Barker, whose son James (12) was killed, said he was hopeful that another prosecution could be brought successfully.
"I had a very positive meeting two weeks ago with senior Garda officers and we are hopeful that there could be progress on this issue very soon. "We are only hopeful that if a charge is brought it is not another conspiracy charge."
At present, only one man, Colm Murphy (51), has been convicted on either side of the border in relation to the atrocity.
Murphy, a former publican and builder from Ravensdale, Dundalk, was found guilty in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin of conspiring to cause the bombing and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.
In Northern Ireland, an unemployed electrician is awaiting trial on charges linked to the blast.
Sean Gerard Hoey (34), of Molly Road, Jonesboro, in south Armagh, has been charged with possession of a timer power unit used in the Omagh bombing. He is also charged with possession of a vehicle and a trailer containing explosives.
Hoey is also charged with conspiracy to cause bombings in Banbridge, Armagh City and Blackwatertown.
Meanwhile, the Omagh families are pressing ahead with their civil action against five men, including Murphy, and seeking £10m in compensation in Belfast's High Court.
The other four defendants are: Seamus Daly (32) from Culloville, Castle-blayney, Co Monaghan; Michael McKevitt (53), from Blackrock, Co Louth; Iiam Campbell (40), of Upper Faughart, Dundalk; and Seamus McKenna, (46), a labourer, formerly from Silverbridge, Co Armagh.