O'LOAN INVESTIGATES OMAGH TRIAL WITNESSES
O'Loan investigates Omagh trial witnesses
POLICE Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan is investigating the conduct of two key police witnesses in the trial of Omagh bombing accused Sean Hoey. During the hearings scenes of crime officer Fiona Cooper and Detective Chief Inspector Philip Marshall both admitted changing their statements on evidence gathering. Hoey (37), of Jonesborough, Co Armagh, denies 58 charges, including killing 29 people and unborn twins in the August 1998 blast.
The prosecution says Hoey made the bomb timers used at Omagh and in a series of other attacks.
While being cross-examined at Belfast Crown Court Mr Marshall and Ms Cooper admitted they had "beefed up" their original statements to suggest that specialist forensic precautions had been taken at an explosives find, when in fact they had not.
The defence said this was done to bolster the prosecution case.
Mrs O'Loan's investigators are examining evidence transcripts and have requested other documents.
Mr Justice Weir has taken the unusual step of ruling that the investigation into witnesses' conduct can take place while the trial continues.
It was also revealed that the original statements made by the witnesses had been lost.
At one point the defence barrister, Orlando Pownall QC, asked for the two witnesses' evidence to be excluded as "their testimony is dishonest". Gordon Kerr QC, prosecuting, told the judge that he should treat their evidence "with caution".
The judge criticised the conduct of the witnesses and called for an investigation into why statements were altered and the originals were lost.
He said the "credibility and reliability" of Mr Marshall and Ms Cooper had been called into serious question but that the trial could continue.
POLICE Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan is investigating the conduct of two key police witnesses in the trial of Omagh bombing accused Sean Hoey. During the hearings scenes of crime officer Fiona Cooper and Detective Chief Inspector Philip Marshall both admitted changing their statements on evidence gathering. Hoey (37), of Jonesborough, Co Armagh, denies 58 charges, including killing 29 people and unborn twins in the August 1998 blast.
The prosecution says Hoey made the bomb timers used at Omagh and in a series of other attacks.
While being cross-examined at Belfast Crown Court Mr Marshall and Ms Cooper admitted they had "beefed up" their original statements to suggest that specialist forensic precautions had been taken at an explosives find, when in fact they had not.
The defence said this was done to bolster the prosecution case.
Mrs O'Loan's investigators are examining evidence transcripts and have requested other documents.
Mr Justice Weir has taken the unusual step of ruling that the investigation into witnesses' conduct can take place while the trial continues.
It was also revealed that the original statements made by the witnesses had been lost.
At one point the defence barrister, Orlando Pownall QC, asked for the two witnesses' evidence to be excluded as "their testimony is dishonest". Gordon Kerr QC, prosecuting, told the judge that he should treat their evidence "with caution".
The judge criticised the conduct of the witnesses and called for an investigation into why statements were altered and the originals were lost.
He said the "credibility and reliability" of Mr Marshall and Ms Cooper had been called into serious question but that the trial could continue.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0829
Published Date: 11-Jan-07
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