WELCOME FOR OMAGH MURDERS CHARGE
Welcome for Omagh murders charge
By Sharon O'Neill
Chief Reporter
OMAGH bomb relatives have welcomed the je first murder charges to be brought after a seven-year probe.
South Armagh man Sean Gerard Hoey is to be charged with the murder of 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins.
Above right is a sketch of Hoey from a court appearance in 2003.
The electrician from Jonesborough already faces a string of paramilitary charges including membership of the Real IRA - the group behind the 1998 bombing.
Police have been given the go-ahead to charge Hoey this month.
The 35-year-old, on remand at Maghaberry Prison, is due to appear in court again on May 19.
In 2001 Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan published a damning report into the original RUC probe, which included failures to pursue possible suspects and key lines of inquiry. As a result relatives feared no-one would ever be charged with the murders.
A new team of detectives were later drafted in for a major review of the bomb investigation.
Police last night refused to confirm that Hoey would be charged with murder.
"The senior investigating officer has received directions from the DPP which are being processed," a spokeswoman said.
However, The Irish News understands that Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid has informed relatives of the development.
Michael Gallagher, whose son
Aiden was killed in the blast, said: "This is the most significant event in the last seven years for the families.
"We are indebted to the current Omagh investigation team led by Norman Baxter."
Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son James was also killed, said: "It is only a charge at the moment. It is not a conviction.
"It is the first step. It is not the end of the road. We are cautiously optimistic but we have to go through the due process."
Laurence Rush, whose wife Elizabeth was killed, said: "I am pleased in a sad sort of way that a person is to charged with the 29 murders. I am unhappy it has taken this long."
Hoey's solicitor Peter Corrigan criticised the move, saying: "We were in contact with the Public Prosecution Service [yesterday], and there was absolutely no indication that our client would be charged with the Omagh bomb.
"We are concerned that this was leaked to the media before ourselves or Mr Hoey was informed. There is absolutely nothing to link Mr Hoey to the Omagh bomb."
Meanwhile, survivors and relatives of those killed in the Omagh and Claudy bombs have produced a booklet outlining their -traumatic experiences as an educational resource for young people.
By Sharon O'Neill
Chief Reporter
OMAGH bomb relatives have welcomed the je first murder charges to be brought after a seven-year probe.
South Armagh man Sean Gerard Hoey is to be charged with the murder of 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins.
Above right is a sketch of Hoey from a court appearance in 2003.
The electrician from Jonesborough already faces a string of paramilitary charges including membership of the Real IRA - the group behind the 1998 bombing.
Police have been given the go-ahead to charge Hoey this month.
The 35-year-old, on remand at Maghaberry Prison, is due to appear in court again on May 19.
In 2001 Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan published a damning report into the original RUC probe, which included failures to pursue possible suspects and key lines of inquiry. As a result relatives feared no-one would ever be charged with the murders.
A new team of detectives were later drafted in for a major review of the bomb investigation.
Police last night refused to confirm that Hoey would be charged with murder.
"The senior investigating officer has received directions from the DPP which are being processed," a spokeswoman said.
However, The Irish News understands that Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid has informed relatives of the development.
Michael Gallagher, whose son
Aiden was killed in the blast, said: "This is the most significant event in the last seven years for the families.
"We are indebted to the current Omagh investigation team led by Norman Baxter."
Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son James was also killed, said: "It is only a charge at the moment. It is not a conviction.
"It is the first step. It is not the end of the road. We are cautiously optimistic but we have to go through the due process."
Laurence Rush, whose wife Elizabeth was killed, said: "I am pleased in a sad sort of way that a person is to charged with the 29 murders. I am unhappy it has taken this long."
Hoey's solicitor Peter Corrigan criticised the move, saying: "We were in contact with the Public Prosecution Service [yesterday], and there was absolutely no indication that our client would be charged with the Omagh bomb.
"We are concerned that this was leaked to the media before ourselves or Mr Hoey was informed. There is absolutely nothing to link Mr Hoey to the Omagh bomb."
Meanwhile, survivors and relatives of those killed in the Omagh and Claudy bombs have produced a booklet outlining their -traumatic experiences as an educational resource for young people.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0737
Published Date: 05-May-05
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