MAN FACES 61 NEW OMAGH CHARGES
Man faces 61 new Omagh charges
Appearance in court next week
By Jonathan McCambridge
A SOUTH Armagh man is to face 61 new charges over the Omagh bomb atrocity, it was revealed in court today.
Unemployed electrician Sean Hoey (35), appeared on remand at Craigavon Magistrates Court this morning.
Next Thursday, Hoey will be charged with 29 counts of murder in relation to the Omagh bomb.
The court heard that papers relating to 61 charges connected to the Omagh atrocity were served on Hoey this morning.
It is understood that all the charges will be read out individually in court next week, including the names of the 29 victims.
Hoey appeared in court today through a video link from Maghaberry Prison where he is currently being held on a series of various terrorist charges.
They include membership of the Real IRA, the organisation which bombed Omagh in August 1998.
A woman pregnant with twins was among the victims. More than 300 people were injured in the explosion.
In court, defence solicitor Peter Corrigan said Hoey had first been questioned over the Omagh bombing seven years ago and that the delay was prejudicing his client's right to a fair trial.
"We submit that the prosecution has been conducted in a most unacceptable manner," Mr Corrigan said. "The prosecution have manipulated the process."
The solicitor added: "Throughout earlier discussions about the case, there was no mention of impending murder charges.
"The delay was a breach of his human rights... and it's prejudicing our client in relation to receiving a fair trial."
Hoey was remanded for one week to allow the new charges to be brought.
In court today was Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among the victims.
Appearance in court next week
By Jonathan McCambridge
A SOUTH Armagh man is to face 61 new charges over the Omagh bomb atrocity, it was revealed in court today.
Unemployed electrician Sean Hoey (35), appeared on remand at Craigavon Magistrates Court this morning.
Next Thursday, Hoey will be charged with 29 counts of murder in relation to the Omagh bomb.
The court heard that papers relating to 61 charges connected to the Omagh atrocity were served on Hoey this morning.
It is understood that all the charges will be read out individually in court next week, including the names of the 29 victims.
Hoey appeared in court today through a video link from Maghaberry Prison where he is currently being held on a series of various terrorist charges.
They include membership of the Real IRA, the organisation which bombed Omagh in August 1998.
A woman pregnant with twins was among the victims. More than 300 people were injured in the explosion.
In court, defence solicitor Peter Corrigan said Hoey had first been questioned over the Omagh bombing seven years ago and that the delay was prejudicing his client's right to a fair trial.
"We submit that the prosecution has been conducted in a most unacceptable manner," Mr Corrigan said. "The prosecution have manipulated the process."
The solicitor added: "Throughout earlier discussions about the case, there was no mention of impending murder charges.
"The delay was a breach of his human rights... and it's prejudicing our client in relation to receiving a fair trial."
Hoey was remanded for one week to allow the new charges to be brought.
In court today was Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among the victims.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0963
Published Date: 19-May-05
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