OMAGH BOMB PROBE: ARMAGH MAN CHARGED
Omagh bomb probe: Armagh man charged
Mackey among 11 quizzed by police
A 48-YEAR-OLD former County Armagh man was the first person to be charged in connection with the Omagh bombing when he appeared at the special criminal court in Dublin yesterday morning (Wednesday).
Colm Murphy, who now lives at Jordan's Corner, Ravensdale, near Dundalk, spoke only once during the five minute hearing to identify himself, before being remanded in custody to appear in court again on March 18.
Murphy, who is originally from Beleeks, but has been living in Dundalk for the past 10 years, working as a publican and a building contractor, faces two charges.
He is charged with, between August 13 and 16, unlawfully and maliciously conspiring with persons not before the court to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, whether within the state or elsewhere.
He is also charged with being a member of an unlawful organisation, describing itself as the Irish Republican Army, otherwise known as Oglaigh na h'Eireann, on August 14.
It is understood that the term 'Irish Republican Army' covers the breakaway groupings of the Real IRA, responsible for the Omagh bomb, and the Continuity IRA.
Murphy was one of 11 men lifted by police and gardai in swoops earlier this week on both sides of the border, as part of the ongoing joint investigation into the Omagh atrocity.
The bomb on August 15 last year killed 29 people and injured several hundred more.
Omagh district councillor and chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, Mr Francis Mackey, was among those arrested. He was lifted by police at the Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital, where he works, early on Monday.
At time of going to press, Mr. Mackey was still being questioned by police in Strand road RUC Station Londonderry. One other man is also be questioned there.
A further two are still being quizzed by Gardai in Carrickmacross, the town where the car in which the 300lb bomb was planted had been stolen.
Meanwhile, the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, which is believed to be affiliated to the real IRA has slammed Mr. Mackey's arrest.
It claimed his detention was part of an ongoing campaign of harassment against republicans and was designed to "suppress debate and criticism of the Stormont deal."
Mackey among 11 quizzed by police
A 48-YEAR-OLD former County Armagh man was the first person to be charged in connection with the Omagh bombing when he appeared at the special criminal court in Dublin yesterday morning (Wednesday).
Colm Murphy, who now lives at Jordan's Corner, Ravensdale, near Dundalk, spoke only once during the five minute hearing to identify himself, before being remanded in custody to appear in court again on March 18.
Murphy, who is originally from Beleeks, but has been living in Dundalk for the past 10 years, working as a publican and a building contractor, faces two charges.
He is charged with, between August 13 and 16, unlawfully and maliciously conspiring with persons not before the court to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, whether within the state or elsewhere.
He is also charged with being a member of an unlawful organisation, describing itself as the Irish Republican Army, otherwise known as Oglaigh na h'Eireann, on August 14.
It is understood that the term 'Irish Republican Army' covers the breakaway groupings of the Real IRA, responsible for the Omagh bomb, and the Continuity IRA.
Murphy was one of 11 men lifted by police and gardai in swoops earlier this week on both sides of the border, as part of the ongoing joint investigation into the Omagh atrocity.
The bomb on August 15 last year killed 29 people and injured several hundred more.
Omagh district councillor and chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, Mr Francis Mackey, was among those arrested. He was lifted by police at the Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital, where he works, early on Monday.
At time of going to press, Mr. Mackey was still being questioned by police in Strand road RUC Station Londonderry. One other man is also be questioned there.
A further two are still being quizzed by Gardai in Carrickmacross, the town where the car in which the 300lb bomb was planted had been stolen.
Meanwhile, the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, which is believed to be affiliated to the real IRA has slammed Mr. Mackey's arrest.
It claimed his detention was part of an ongoing campaign of harassment against republicans and was designed to "suppress debate and criticism of the Stormont deal."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1314
Published Date: 25-Feb-99
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