OMBUDSMAN WIDEN OMAGH BOMB PROBE
Ombudsman widens Omagh bomb probe
BY DEBORAH McALEESE AND CHRIS THORNTON
THE Police Ombudsman has widened its probe into the possible misconduct of police officers during the Omagh bomb investigation, it emerged today.
He has told the DPP to hold off any prosecutions of the two officers who were accused of lying during the trial of Sean Hoey, until he looks deeper into the fiasco.
The PSNI has revealed it has reviewed the positions of Detective Chief Inspector Philip Marshall and Constable Fiona Cooper, who trial judge Mr Justice Weir accused of "deliberate and calculated deception".
They had been involved in collecting items at the scene of a dissident republican bomb discovered in Altmore Forest in Co Tyrone in 2001, with which Mr Hoey was also accused of being involved.
The police said that one of the officers has been moved to perform other duties in line with a recommendation from the ombudsman.
However, the ombudsman's probe into the handling of the police investigation has just begun and it is understood it will be looking at the conduct of other officers.
"I have to be satisfied that my office has had the opportunity to access all the evidence. For that reason I have advised the Director of Public Prosecutions that my investigators are now looking at the wider issues which have been raised," Police Ombudsman Al Hutchinson said today.
Mr Hutchinson's office said their investigation was extended because "Mr Weir's closing judgment appeared to raise additional concerns which may also now need to be considered".
Clearing Mr Hoey last month of 58 charges, including the murders of 29 people in the 1998 Real IRA attack, Mr Weir referred to "deliberate and calculated deception in which others concerned in the investigation and preparation of this case for trial beyond these two witnesses (Marshall and Cooper) may also have played a part."
After Mr Hoey was found not guilty, the Policing Board pledged an independent review of all investigations into the bombing. It came after Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde confirmed that the two officers under investigation following the trial had not been suspended.
However, Sir Hugh pledged to act on any recommendations made by the Police Ombudsman following its probe.
He also defended the performance of police adding that detectives were hindered by mistakes during the initial investigation after the bombing.
Mr Hoey (38) of Molly Road, Jonesborough in south Armagh, was the only person to have been charged with the Omagh murders - one of the worst atrocities of Northern Ireland's Troubles.
BY DEBORAH McALEESE AND CHRIS THORNTON
THE Police Ombudsman has widened its probe into the possible misconduct of police officers during the Omagh bomb investigation, it emerged today.
He has told the DPP to hold off any prosecutions of the two officers who were accused of lying during the trial of Sean Hoey, until he looks deeper into the fiasco.
The PSNI has revealed it has reviewed the positions of Detective Chief Inspector Philip Marshall and Constable Fiona Cooper, who trial judge Mr Justice Weir accused of "deliberate and calculated deception".
They had been involved in collecting items at the scene of a dissident republican bomb discovered in Altmore Forest in Co Tyrone in 2001, with which Mr Hoey was also accused of being involved.
The police said that one of the officers has been moved to perform other duties in line with a recommendation from the ombudsman.
However, the ombudsman's probe into the handling of the police investigation has just begun and it is understood it will be looking at the conduct of other officers.
"I have to be satisfied that my office has had the opportunity to access all the evidence. For that reason I have advised the Director of Public Prosecutions that my investigators are now looking at the wider issues which have been raised," Police Ombudsman Al Hutchinson said today.
Mr Hutchinson's office said their investigation was extended because "Mr Weir's closing judgment appeared to raise additional concerns which may also now need to be considered".
Clearing Mr Hoey last month of 58 charges, including the murders of 29 people in the 1998 Real IRA attack, Mr Weir referred to "deliberate and calculated deception in which others concerned in the investigation and preparation of this case for trial beyond these two witnesses (Marshall and Cooper) may also have played a part."
After Mr Hoey was found not guilty, the Policing Board pledged an independent review of all investigations into the bombing. It came after Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde confirmed that the two officers under investigation following the trial had not been suspended.
However, Sir Hugh pledged to act on any recommendations made by the Police Ombudsman following its probe.
He also defended the performance of police adding that detectives were hindered by mistakes during the initial investigation after the bombing.
Mr Hoey (38) of Molly Road, Jonesborough in south Armagh, was the only person to have been charged with the Omagh murders - one of the worst atrocities of Northern Ireland's Troubles.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/1056
Published Date: 17-Jan-08
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