OMAGH ACCUSED 'LINKED TO 3 BLASTS'
Omagh accused 'linked to 3 blasts'
DNA evidence links a man accused of the Omagh bomb murders with three explosions, a court heard yesterday.
A senior forensic scientist in the case against Sean Hoey (36), who was allegedly involved in a dozen paramilitary attacks across the north, also claimed only one person built the devices used in the campaign.
Dennis McAuley told Belfast Magistrates Court that his belief hardened after new examinations of soldering techniques, wiring, codes and manufacturing dates of the timer power units.
"It has further strengthened my opinion that the Northern Ireland units were made by the same person," he said.
As committal proceedings began against Hoey, an electrician of Molly Road, Jonesborough, south Armagh, it also emerged that a voice analyst believes he telephoned through the warning on another attack weeks before the 1998 Real IRA massacre in Omagh.
It took more than 20 minutes to read out all 61 terrorist and explosives charges against him.
Hoey sat expressionless in the dock while Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden died in the carnage at Omagh, listened in the public gallery.
As well as killing 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, hundreds more were injured in the no-warning bomb in August 1998.
Defence barrister Martin O'Rourke argued against admitting Mr McAuley's assessment, because in only three of the 12 cases did he state the person more than likely built the devices.
"This evidence isn't admissible because it isn't probative of anything against the defendant," he said.
But the forensic scientist, who has spent 29 years examining bomb and fire scenes, later revealed that his belief had been strengthened since making his statement.
Mr O'Rourke also tried to cast doubt on Hoey's connection to the 12th bombing in Banbridge, Co Down, weeks before the explosion in Omagh.
After studying taped interviews with the accused and a recording of the bomb warning, he said a voice analyst believed that there were some similarities.
But he added: "She then comes to the conclusion that it's somewhat more likely than not to be the same speaker as Sean Hoey. There isn't any national database for voice analysis. It's purely the subject of opinion of a so-called expert and she's not entitled to express an opinion in the way she has done so."
Gordon Kerr QC, for the Crown, said the evidence linking Hoey to Banbridge was part of a multi-layered case, and it was part of a series of bombings all carried out by one organisation.
He added: "It may be correct to say that the only direct link to Banbridge is his voice. But when you put his DNA on three of the devices and all the devices being from one organisation, it's a very different case."
Mr Kerr also told the court that fibre evidence connecting one man to five of the bombs had been identified.
Magistrate Desmond Perry rejected the move by Hoey's defence to have the forensic experts' evidence thrown out.
"It's all too easy for the defence to take evidence in isolation and say it doesn't meet the standard required," he said.
"I'm persuaded by Mr Kerr that one has to take a global look at this case."
The hearing continues today.
DNA evidence links a man accused of the Omagh bomb murders with three explosions, a court heard yesterday.
A senior forensic scientist in the case against Sean Hoey (36), who was allegedly involved in a dozen paramilitary attacks across the north, also claimed only one person built the devices used in the campaign.
Dennis McAuley told Belfast Magistrates Court that his belief hardened after new examinations of soldering techniques, wiring, codes and manufacturing dates of the timer power units.
"It has further strengthened my opinion that the Northern Ireland units were made by the same person," he said.
As committal proceedings began against Hoey, an electrician of Molly Road, Jonesborough, south Armagh, it also emerged that a voice analyst believes he telephoned through the warning on another attack weeks before the 1998 Real IRA massacre in Omagh.
It took more than 20 minutes to read out all 61 terrorist and explosives charges against him.
Hoey sat expressionless in the dock while Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden died in the carnage at Omagh, listened in the public gallery.
As well as killing 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, hundreds more were injured in the no-warning bomb in August 1998.
Defence barrister Martin O'Rourke argued against admitting Mr McAuley's assessment, because in only three of the 12 cases did he state the person more than likely built the devices.
"This evidence isn't admissible because it isn't probative of anything against the defendant," he said.
But the forensic scientist, who has spent 29 years examining bomb and fire scenes, later revealed that his belief had been strengthened since making his statement.
Mr O'Rourke also tried to cast doubt on Hoey's connection to the 12th bombing in Banbridge, Co Down, weeks before the explosion in Omagh.
After studying taped interviews with the accused and a recording of the bomb warning, he said a voice analyst believed that there were some similarities.
But he added: "She then comes to the conclusion that it's somewhat more likely than not to be the same speaker as Sean Hoey. There isn't any national database for voice analysis. It's purely the subject of opinion of a so-called expert and she's not entitled to express an opinion in the way she has done so."
Gordon Kerr QC, for the Crown, said the evidence linking Hoey to Banbridge was part of a multi-layered case, and it was part of a series of bombings all carried out by one organisation.
He added: "It may be correct to say that the only direct link to Banbridge is his voice. But when you put his DNA on three of the devices and all the devices being from one organisation, it's a very different case."
Mr Kerr also told the court that fibre evidence connecting one man to five of the bombs had been identified.
Magistrate Desmond Perry rejected the move by Hoey's defence to have the forensic experts' evidence thrown out.
"It's all too easy for the defence to take evidence in isolation and say it doesn't meet the standard required," he said.
"I'm persuaded by Mr Kerr that one has to take a global look at this case."
The hearing continues today.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0753
Published Date: 31-Aug-05
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