O'LOAN IN OMAGH TRIAL PROBE
O'Loan in Omagh trial probe
THE conduct of two PSNI officers involved in the trial of the man accused of the Omagh bomb is being investigated by the Police Ombudsman.
Forensics officer Fiona Cooper and Detective Chief Inspector Philip Marshall gave evidence against Sean Hoey, the south Armagh man suspected of being behind the blast.
However, during cross-examination at Belfast Crown Court, both admitted that they had "beefed up" their original statements to suggest that specialist forensic precautions had been taken at an explosives find when they had not.
A Police Ombudsman spokesman confirmed: "We are investigating the conduct of two officers involved in the Omagh bomb trial and have obtained transcripts of the evidence they gave and other relevant documents."
Although details of the investigation only emerged last night, it is thought that some of Nuala O'Loan's staff have been working on it since the start of December.
Hoey, 37, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, denies 58 charges, including the 29 murders in Omagh on Saturday, August 15, 1998.
Forensic evidence is a major part of the case against him. The prosecution claims that Hoey made the bomb timers used in Omagh and in a series of other attacks.
During the ongoing trial it has been alleged that the original statements made by Fiona Cooper and Philip Marshall were lost.
At one point defence barrister Orlando Pownall, QC, asked for all of their evidence to be excluded on the grounds that "their testimony is dishonest".
Prosecuting QC Gordon Kerr told trial judge Mr Justice Weir that he should treat Ms Cooper and Mr Marshall's evidence "with caution".
The judge, who may be interviewed by Nuala O'Loan's officials, criticised the conduct of the two PSNI witnesses and called for an investigation when details of their 'beefing up' first emerged.
He has taken the unusual step of ruling that the investigation into the conduct of the two witnesses can place while the trial continues.
The non-jury trial is expected to finish this week, but judgement will be reserved for several weeks.
THE conduct of two PSNI officers involved in the trial of the man accused of the Omagh bomb is being investigated by the Police Ombudsman.
Forensics officer Fiona Cooper and Detective Chief Inspector Philip Marshall gave evidence against Sean Hoey, the south Armagh man suspected of being behind the blast.
However, during cross-examination at Belfast Crown Court, both admitted that they had "beefed up" their original statements to suggest that specialist forensic precautions had been taken at an explosives find when they had not.
A Police Ombudsman spokesman confirmed: "We are investigating the conduct of two officers involved in the Omagh bomb trial and have obtained transcripts of the evidence they gave and other relevant documents."
Although details of the investigation only emerged last night, it is thought that some of Nuala O'Loan's staff have been working on it since the start of December.
Hoey, 37, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, denies 58 charges, including the 29 murders in Omagh on Saturday, August 15, 1998.
Forensic evidence is a major part of the case against him. The prosecution claims that Hoey made the bomb timers used in Omagh and in a series of other attacks.
During the ongoing trial it has been alleged that the original statements made by Fiona Cooper and Philip Marshall were lost.
At one point defence barrister Orlando Pownall, QC, asked for all of their evidence to be excluded on the grounds that "their testimony is dishonest".
Prosecuting QC Gordon Kerr told trial judge Mr Justice Weir that he should treat Ms Cooper and Mr Marshall's evidence "with caution".
The judge, who may be interviewed by Nuala O'Loan's officials, criticised the conduct of the two PSNI witnesses and called for an investigation when details of their 'beefing up' first emerged.
He has taken the unusual step of ruling that the investigation into the conduct of the two witnesses can place while the trial continues.
The non-jury trial is expected to finish this week, but judgement will be reserved for several weeks.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/685
Published Date: 11-Jan-07
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