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Omagh bomb case accused walks free from Dublin Court

THE only man to be convicted for the Omagh bombing in 1998 has walked free from a Dublin court, after it was deemed that his conviction was 'unsafe'.
Mr Colm Murphy, 52, left the Dublin Special Criminal Court on Friday after posting bail of some 50,000 Euro (£34,600), his conviction having been overturned the previous week by three special court judges, who ruled that it was unsafe on two counts, and ordered a retrial.
He was originally handed down a 14-year sentence in 2002 in connection with the Omagh atrocity, which claimed 31 lives, including those of unborn twins.
Bail was granted on two independent sureties of 25,000 Euro, one to be paid by Murphy's sister, Kathleen fully, who lives in Co. Armagh, and the other by his daughter, Leonora, who resides in Co. Louth.
Murphy left the court with another man, and, refusing to speak to journalists, entered a nearby pub.
Shortly afterwards, his daughter, Leonora, came out and read a statement to the assembled press.
She said that the family were delighted at her father's release, and that their hearts went out to the families of the Omagh victims over an atrocity which, she said, 'should never have happened'. She added that the family would not rest until Murphy's name had been completely cleared.
It is believed that Murphy has surrendered his passport, and under the conditions of his bail he must reside at a named address in Dundalk. He must also sign on daily at Dundalk Garda Station. He is due to appear again before the Special Criminal Court on April 5.
Mr Lawrence Rush, whose wife, Libby, died in the blast, also attended the appeal court hearing. He addressed the judges to object to Murphy being granted bail, and said that he felt as though he had been imprisoned for the past six years since she was killed.
Mr Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, who lost his son, Aidan, at Omagh, said afterwards that the families were devastated by Murphy's release.
Devastated
He said: "The families are totally devastated. When we had thought that at least one person had been jailed in connection with the Omagh bomb, to find out that we are back where we started is devastating.
"It is an absolute disgrace that no one has been brought to justice for the Omagh bombing on either side of the border, and we will continue to pursue those who we believe are responsible, and to put pressure on both the British and the Irish governments to bring these people before the courts."