OMAGH SUSPECT'S DEFENCE BIDS FAILS
Omagh suspects defence bid fails
BY ALAN ERWIN
DNA evidence links an electrician accused of the 29 Omagh bomb murders with a series of explosions, a court heard yesterday.
A senior forensic scientist in the case against Sean Hoey, 36, who was allegedly involved in a dozen terrorist attacks across Northern Ireland, also claimed only one person built the devices used in the campaign.
Dennis McAuley told Belfast Magistrates Court his belief hardened after new examinations of soldering techniques, wiring, codes and manufacturing dates of the timer power units.
As committal proceedings began against Hoey, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, south Armagh, it also emerged that a voice analyst believes the suspect telephoned through the warning on another attack weeks before the 1998 Real IRA massacre in Omagh.
It took over 20 minutes to read out 61 terrorist and explosives charges against him.
As well as killing 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, hundreds more were injured in the no-warning strike.
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.
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 tried to cast doubt on Hoey's connection to the Twelfth bombing in Banbridge weeks before the Omagh explosion.
After studying taped interviews with the accused and a recording of the bomb warning, a voice analyst believed there were some similarities, the barrister told the court.
He said: "There isn't any national database for voice analysis."
Gordon Kerr QC, for the Crown, said the evidence linking Hoey to Banbridge was part of a multi-layered case.
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 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.
The hearing was adjourned until today.
BY ALAN ERWIN
DNA evidence links an electrician accused of the 29 Omagh bomb murders with a series of explosions, a court heard yesterday.
A senior forensic scientist in the case against Sean Hoey, 36, who was allegedly involved in a dozen terrorist attacks across Northern Ireland, also claimed only one person built the devices used in the campaign.
Dennis McAuley told Belfast Magistrates Court his belief hardened after new examinations of soldering techniques, wiring, codes and manufacturing dates of the timer power units.
As committal proceedings began against Hoey, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, south Armagh, it also emerged that a voice analyst believes the suspect telephoned through the warning on another attack weeks before the 1998 Real IRA massacre in Omagh.
It took over 20 minutes to read out 61 terrorist and explosives charges against him.
As well as killing 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, hundreds more were injured in the no-warning strike.
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.
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 tried to cast doubt on Hoey's connection to the Twelfth bombing in Banbridge weeks before the Omagh explosion.
After studying taped interviews with the accused and a recording of the bomb warning, a voice analyst believed there were some similarities, the barrister told the court.
He said: "There isn't any national database for voice analysis."
Gordon Kerr QC, for the Crown, said the evidence linking Hoey to Banbridge was part of a multi-layered case.
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 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.
The hearing was adjourned until today.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/627
Published Date: 31-Aug-05
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