BUILDER CHARGED OVER OMAGH BOMBING
Builder charged over Omagh bombing
South Armagh man remanded at Dublin court
THE first person to be charged in connection with the Omagh bombing appeared before a court in Dublin yesterday.
Colm Murphy, 48, of Jordans Corner, Ravensdale, close to the border in Co Louth, was remanded in custody after a five-minute hearing at the Special Criminal Court.
Originally from Belleeks in south Armagh, Murphy was charged with conspiracy to cause explosions between August 13 and 16, 1998 and with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army otherwise known as Ogh-laigh na hEireann on August 14.
The atrocity on August 15 killed 29 people - among them a woman heavily pregnant with twins - and injured 200 more. It was the single worst act of terrorism in the 30-year history of the Ulster Troubles.
Murphy, a builder who owns a pub in Dundalk, Co Louth, was one of seven men arrested by police in the Republic since the weekend.
Detective Inspector Tadgh Foley told the court that Murphy was arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
At 9.33pm on Tuesday night he was released from the provisions of that law but arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Law Act under which he was charged with conspiracy to cause explosions. He was subsequently charged with membership of an illegal organisation under Section 47 of the Offences Against the State Act.
When cautioned he replied: "I have nothing to say", Insp Foley said.
Murphy, dressed in a blue-grey suit and yellow shirt, remained silent throughout the hearing. His case was set to be heard again on March 18.
Three men are still being held by Gardai investigating the bombing, one in Carrickmacross and two in Monaghan.
Another two men are also in custody in Ulster by RUC officers conducting the inquiry into the atrocity.
One is Omagh councillor Francis Mackey, 44, who is currently chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee.
A psychiatric nurse from Mountfield, near Omagh, he is being detained at Strand Road police station in Londonderry.
The RUC released four other suspects without charge last night.
South Armagh man remanded at Dublin court
THE first person to be charged in connection with the Omagh bombing appeared before a court in Dublin yesterday.
Colm Murphy, 48, of Jordans Corner, Ravensdale, close to the border in Co Louth, was remanded in custody after a five-minute hearing at the Special Criminal Court.
Originally from Belleeks in south Armagh, Murphy was charged with conspiracy to cause explosions between August 13 and 16, 1998 and with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army otherwise known as Ogh-laigh na hEireann on August 14.
The atrocity on August 15 killed 29 people - among them a woman heavily pregnant with twins - and injured 200 more. It was the single worst act of terrorism in the 30-year history of the Ulster Troubles.
Murphy, a builder who owns a pub in Dundalk, Co Louth, was one of seven men arrested by police in the Republic since the weekend.
Detective Inspector Tadgh Foley told the court that Murphy was arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
At 9.33pm on Tuesday night he was released from the provisions of that law but arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Law Act under which he was charged with conspiracy to cause explosions. He was subsequently charged with membership of an illegal organisation under Section 47 of the Offences Against the State Act.
When cautioned he replied: "I have nothing to say", Insp Foley said.
Murphy, dressed in a blue-grey suit and yellow shirt, remained silent throughout the hearing. His case was set to be heard again on March 18.
Three men are still being held by Gardai investigating the bombing, one in Carrickmacross and two in Monaghan.
Another two men are also in custody in Ulster by RUC officers conducting the inquiry into the atrocity.
One is Omagh councillor Francis Mackey, 44, who is currently chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee.
A psychiatric nurse from Mountfield, near Omagh, he is being detained at Strand Road police station in Londonderry.
The RUC released four other suspects without charge last night.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/207
Published Date: 25-Feb-99
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