HOEY MAY LAUNCH CIVIL ACTION
Hoey may launch civil action
BY IAN GRAHAM and DAVID YOUNG
LAWYERS for acquitted Omagh bomb suspect Sean Hoey said he may launch a civil suit on the grounds of malicious prosecution.
The 38-year-old South Armagh electrician spent over four years in custody before being cleared.
Solicitor Kevin Winters also strongly rejected claims by the father of one of the 29 victims after the judgment.
He said comments made by English lawyer Victor Barker, whose son James, 12, died in the 1998 bombing, were actionable.
"Sean Hoey refutes completely the allegations made. by Victor Barker when he persists in blaming him for Omagh," said Mr Winters.
"The comments made yesterday and repeated in some newspapers today will be actionable.
"In addition we are considering a malicious prosecution civil action against the prosecuting authorities following yesterday's judgment."
Mr Barker said he had consulted with his lawyers in the light of Mr Winter's statement.
"I believe the comments I made were a fair and accurate reflection of events reported in the court," he said.
Meanwhile, First Minister Ian Paisley said the hunt to find the bombers must go on.
"We need at this time to take care that we do not make this matter worse for those that are sorrowing," he said.
"People are saying that there will never be a (another) trial and they (the bombers) will never be brought to justice."
Police have suspended the testing of "low copy DNA" following the acquittal of Mr Hoey, it was revealed last night.
The Association of Chief Police (Acpo) officers said that forces were already operating an "interim suspension" of the technique.
The move comes as an urgent review gets under way into forthcoming court cases involving the technique following the Omagh bomb trial acquittal. The Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales said it was reviewing a number of cases where the Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA testing was involved.
A similar review was being made here at the request of Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde.
BY IAN GRAHAM and DAVID YOUNG
LAWYERS for acquitted Omagh bomb suspect Sean Hoey said he may launch a civil suit on the grounds of malicious prosecution.
The 38-year-old South Armagh electrician spent over four years in custody before being cleared.
Solicitor Kevin Winters also strongly rejected claims by the father of one of the 29 victims after the judgment.
He said comments made by English lawyer Victor Barker, whose son James, 12, died in the 1998 bombing, were actionable.
"Sean Hoey refutes completely the allegations made. by Victor Barker when he persists in blaming him for Omagh," said Mr Winters.
"The comments made yesterday and repeated in some newspapers today will be actionable.
"In addition we are considering a malicious prosecution civil action against the prosecuting authorities following yesterday's judgment."
Mr Barker said he had consulted with his lawyers in the light of Mr Winter's statement.
"I believe the comments I made were a fair and accurate reflection of events reported in the court," he said.
Meanwhile, First Minister Ian Paisley said the hunt to find the bombers must go on.
"We need at this time to take care that we do not make this matter worse for those that are sorrowing," he said.
"People are saying that there will never be a (another) trial and they (the bombers) will never be brought to justice."
Police have suspended the testing of "low copy DNA" following the acquittal of Mr Hoey, it was revealed last night.
The Association of Chief Police (Acpo) officers said that forces were already operating an "interim suspension" of the technique.
The move comes as an urgent review gets under way into forthcoming court cases involving the technique following the Omagh bomb trial acquittal. The Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales said it was reviewing a number of cases where the Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA testing was involved.
A similar review was being made here at the request of Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/727
Published Date: 22-Dec-07
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