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Bitter disappointment' over Murphy retrial - relatives

RELATIVES of the Omagh bomb victims have expressed "bitter disappointment" over the decision by the Court of Appeal to order a retrial for Colm Murphy.
Murphy is one of five men being sued for £14 million by relatives of those killed by the car bomb attack that killed 29 people and unborn twins.
The others named in the lawsuit include Michael McKevitt, Liam Campbell, Seamus Daly and Seamus McKenna.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden died in the blast, said that the families were dismayed and shocked following the appeal court's decision.
Vowing to remain determined to continue the families' pursuit of civil action against those suspected of involvement in the attack, Mr Gallagher, who is chairman of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, added: "We are bitterly disappointed about this latest decision particularly when you consider the fact he was the only the person who had been charged in connection to the Omagh bomb.
"This now reinforces the families' call for a full cross border inquiry, because after six years we still seem to be getting nowhere."
Mr Gallagher expressed his anger that the appeal court had, in part, based its judgement on an "invasion of the presumption of innocence" by the Special Criminal Court regarding Murphy's criminal record.
Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son James died in the blast, said that he was "desperately disappointed" by the court decision but "pleased in some sense" by news that a retrial would be held.
However, he expressed concerns that while Murphy was remanded in custody on Friday he was expected to make a bail application before the Special Criminal Court this week.
Meanwhile, the Republic's justice Minister Michael McDowell issued a statement saying he would be studying the decision of the Court of Criminal Appeal in the Colm Murphy case.
"However, given the fact that there are two separate criminal proceedings pending - a retrial has been ordered in this case and two gardai are facing criminal proceedings in relation to evidence given in the the case - it would be wholly inappropriate for the minister to make any further public comment at this stage," the statement said.
Republican Sinn Fein president Des Dalton said he "deplored" the court's decision to send Murphy for retrial.
"It would appear the Dublin government remains determined to use all the draconian legislation at its disposal, regardless of the impact on human rights, to suppress those who refuse to accept or compromise with British rule in Ireland and oppose the 'Stormont Agreement'."