OMAGH BOMBING TRIAL ADJOURNED
Omagh bombing trial adjourned
By Olga Bradshaw
Defence lawyer falls ill
THE trial of the Co Armagh man accused of murdering 29 people in the Omagh bombing was adjourned yesterday, Wednesday, at Belfast Crown Court.
Sean Gerard Hoey, an unemployed electrician, from Molly Road, Jonesborough, faces 29 charges of murder arising out of the Omagh bombing, but also faces a catalogue of other offences arising out of 14 linked incidents, including causing explosions, possession of component parts of bombs, conspiracy to bomb, conspiracy to murder members of the security forces and causing explosions by mortar bombs. The charges date from March 1997.
The bombing in Omagh's Market Street eight years ago was the worst single terrorist atrocity in Northern Ireland and among those to be killed were a woman pregnant with twins, as well as those from Spain and Buncrana who were on a day trip to the town. Several hundred people were injured in the blast.
However, it is not now known when the trial will get off the ground, as the trial judge, Mr Justice Weir, has granted an indefinite adjournment after the senior defence lawyer said he was unwell. No date was set for the case to continue.
Barrister Orlando Pownall, QC, who made his name in the Jill Dando and Damilola Taylor murder enquiries, and who now appears for Omagh bomb accused Hoey, told trial judge Mr Justice Weir: "I am unwell. I appear before you against medical advice."
Families and friends of some of the victims of the Omagh atrocity had travelled to Belfast by bus for the first day of the case.
The planned opening of the trial also coincided with a related disclosure application in High Court. If the application is granted it could also impact on the trial causing even further delay.
Chairman of the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group, Mr Michael Gallagher, has welcomed movement towards the start of the trial as well as efforts being made to facilitate the families involved. On Monday a successful application was made to have the groundbreaking trial beamed live to Omagh using video link-up equipment.
"I think it is a very positive thing, because this is much wider than the Omagh families affected. This will be the largest criminal trial in the Irish history and there might be a much wider interest than just those directly affected," he said.
Mr Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son, Aidan, died in the Omagh bombing, said the provision of video link-up facilities would allow families and others who might never have the opportunity to travel to Belfast, to view the trial locally. He said this would take the burden of travel off them.
"We understand they are looking at the library as a possible venue, it is strongly tipped as a possible court annex," he said.
Asked how the families felt after an eight-year battle for justice for those who died, Mr Gallagher said: "I think that the families are relieved that at least the trial is about to begin. We hope there won't be any serious delay and that this trial will proceed in a quiet, orderly manner to an orderly conclusion.
"It has been a long eight years, but we are just going to have to wait a few more months to see what the result is going to be. Don't forget there are 14 linked incidents, but we will be focusing primarily on Omagh. That is the case where he is charged with 29 counts of murder and the one we have an interest in, but they are all serious charges," he said.
He added: "The best thing we can say is that we will put our faith in the courts and we are confident in the Omagh investigation team."
Hoey, who has been held in HM Machinery Prison since his arrest in September 2003, faces a catalogue of bomb-related offences, including the bombing of Omagh on August 15, 1998.
In a formal statement a Court Service spokesperson commented: "On Monday, September 4, in the case of R v Hoey, counsel for the prosecution informed Mr Justice Weir of a request for the provision of a video link in Omagh to facilitate the families. Mr Justice Weir said he would ask the court administration to look into the matter and what facilities might be provided. It was accepted that these could not be put in place by Wednesday. Options are currently being investigated by NI Court Service officials."
By Olga Bradshaw
Defence lawyer falls ill
THE trial of the Co Armagh man accused of murdering 29 people in the Omagh bombing was adjourned yesterday, Wednesday, at Belfast Crown Court.
Sean Gerard Hoey, an unemployed electrician, from Molly Road, Jonesborough, faces 29 charges of murder arising out of the Omagh bombing, but also faces a catalogue of other offences arising out of 14 linked incidents, including causing explosions, possession of component parts of bombs, conspiracy to bomb, conspiracy to murder members of the security forces and causing explosions by mortar bombs. The charges date from March 1997.
The bombing in Omagh's Market Street eight years ago was the worst single terrorist atrocity in Northern Ireland and among those to be killed were a woman pregnant with twins, as well as those from Spain and Buncrana who were on a day trip to the town. Several hundred people were injured in the blast.
However, it is not now known when the trial will get off the ground, as the trial judge, Mr Justice Weir, has granted an indefinite adjournment after the senior defence lawyer said he was unwell. No date was set for the case to continue.
Barrister Orlando Pownall, QC, who made his name in the Jill Dando and Damilola Taylor murder enquiries, and who now appears for Omagh bomb accused Hoey, told trial judge Mr Justice Weir: "I am unwell. I appear before you against medical advice."
Families and friends of some of the victims of the Omagh atrocity had travelled to Belfast by bus for the first day of the case.
The planned opening of the trial also coincided with a related disclosure application in High Court. If the application is granted it could also impact on the trial causing even further delay.
Chairman of the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group, Mr Michael Gallagher, has welcomed movement towards the start of the trial as well as efforts being made to facilitate the families involved. On Monday a successful application was made to have the groundbreaking trial beamed live to Omagh using video link-up equipment.
"I think it is a very positive thing, because this is much wider than the Omagh families affected. This will be the largest criminal trial in the Irish history and there might be a much wider interest than just those directly affected," he said.
Mr Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son, Aidan, died in the Omagh bombing, said the provision of video link-up facilities would allow families and others who might never have the opportunity to travel to Belfast, to view the trial locally. He said this would take the burden of travel off them.
"We understand they are looking at the library as a possible venue, it is strongly tipped as a possible court annex," he said.
Asked how the families felt after an eight-year battle for justice for those who died, Mr Gallagher said: "I think that the families are relieved that at least the trial is about to begin. We hope there won't be any serious delay and that this trial will proceed in a quiet, orderly manner to an orderly conclusion.
"It has been a long eight years, but we are just going to have to wait a few more months to see what the result is going to be. Don't forget there are 14 linked incidents, but we will be focusing primarily on Omagh. That is the case where he is charged with 29 counts of murder and the one we have an interest in, but they are all serious charges," he said.
He added: "The best thing we can say is that we will put our faith in the courts and we are confident in the Omagh investigation team."
Hoey, who has been held in HM Machinery Prison since his arrest in September 2003, faces a catalogue of bomb-related offences, including the bombing of Omagh on August 15, 1998.
In a formal statement a Court Service spokesperson commented: "On Monday, September 4, in the case of R v Hoey, counsel for the prosecution informed Mr Justice Weir of a request for the provision of a video link in Omagh to facilitate the families. Mr Justice Weir said he would ask the court administration to look into the matter and what facilities might be provided. It was accepted that these could not be put in place by Wednesday. Options are currently being investigated by NI Court Service officials."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1844
Published Date: 07-Sep-06
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