VERDICT DUE IN OMAGH TRIAL
Verdict due in Omagh trial
BY DAN McGINN
AND DERIC HENDERSON
THE verdict was due to be delivered today in the trial of a man accused of murdering 29 people in the Omagh bomb attack.
Sean Hoey (38), from Jonesborough, Co Armagh, has denied a total of 56 charges relating to the Omagh bomb, including the murders of 29 people.
The bomb attack, which devastated the Co Tyrone town, was carried out by the Real IRA.
His trial at Belfast Crown Court lasted for 56 days and ended in January. Mr Justice Weir was expected to deliver his verdict today in front of relatives of those killed in the August 1998 atrocity who travelled to Belfast.
Family members were able to follow developments during the trial from Omagh by watching a special satellite video link with the Belfast court.
The prosecution case against Hoey hinged on DNA evidence, specifically a type called low copy DNA, a relatively new and sensitive form of testing.
But it was robustly challenged by his defence team and at the hearing experts differed on how reliable they believed it to be. They also challenged the integrity of some of the police and forensic witnesses, claiming their evidence had been beefed up.
BY DAN McGINN
AND DERIC HENDERSON
THE verdict was due to be delivered today in the trial of a man accused of murdering 29 people in the Omagh bomb attack.
Sean Hoey (38), from Jonesborough, Co Armagh, has denied a total of 56 charges relating to the Omagh bomb, including the murders of 29 people.
The bomb attack, which devastated the Co Tyrone town, was carried out by the Real IRA.
His trial at Belfast Crown Court lasted for 56 days and ended in January. Mr Justice Weir was expected to deliver his verdict today in front of relatives of those killed in the August 1998 atrocity who travelled to Belfast.
Family members were able to follow developments during the trial from Omagh by watching a special satellite video link with the Belfast court.
The prosecution case against Hoey hinged on DNA evidence, specifically a type called low copy DNA, a relatively new and sensitive form of testing.
But it was robustly challenged by his defence team and at the hearing experts differed on how reliable they believed it to be. They also challenged the integrity of some of the police and forensic witnesses, claiming their evidence had been beefed up.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/1047
Published Date: 20-Dec-07
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