OMAGH DNA 'CONTAMINATED'
Omagh DNA 'contaminated'
DNA used to link Sean Hoey to a republican bombing campaign in Northern Ireland may have been transferred via a contaminated examination table, a court heard yesterday.
American forensic expert Professor Dan Krane told Belfast Crown Court that the incriminating material could have been spread to bomb components during processing at a laboratory.
Hoey (37) has been linked by prosecutors to a number of devices including one which was defused in Lisburn, Co Antrim in 1998. His DNA was allegedly found on that device.
"If the item of Mr Hoey's was on a table top, for instance, removed and subsequently these seized items came on to the table top, it would not necessarily require an air transfer but it could result in a transfer," Mr Krane told the court. He was being questioned about the likelihood of the defendant's material accidentally landing on the bomb components.
Hoey, from Molly Road, Jonesborough, in Co Armagh, denies 58 charges including the murder of 29 people in 1998 Omagh bombing.
Mr Krane, a witness called by the defence team, specialises in Low Copy Number DNA, a relatively new identifying material being used by prosecutors to incriminate Hoey.
The trial is due to continue for several more weeks.
DNA used to link Sean Hoey to a republican bombing campaign in Northern Ireland may have been transferred via a contaminated examination table, a court heard yesterday.
American forensic expert Professor Dan Krane told Belfast Crown Court that the incriminating material could have been spread to bomb components during processing at a laboratory.
Hoey (37) has been linked by prosecutors to a number of devices including one which was defused in Lisburn, Co Antrim in 1998. His DNA was allegedly found on that device.
"If the item of Mr Hoey's was on a table top, for instance, removed and subsequently these seized items came on to the table top, it would not necessarily require an air transfer but it could result in a transfer," Mr Krane told the court. He was being questioned about the likelihood of the defendant's material accidentally landing on the bomb components.
Hoey, from Molly Road, Jonesborough, in Co Armagh, denies 58 charges including the murder of 29 people in 1998 Omagh bombing.
Mr Krane, a witness called by the defence team, specialises in Low Copy Number DNA, a relatively new identifying material being used by prosecutors to incriminate Hoey.
The trial is due to continue for several more weeks.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0815
Published Date: 16-Nov-06
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