BOMB PERPETRATORS CAN BE FOUND AND HOPEFULLY CONVICTED
Bomb perpetrators can be found - and hopefully convicted'
Sir,
There are a number of vital questions connected to the Omagh bomb trial, which have not been raised or put forward in the news media - but which remain unanswered in the minds of the general public.
Firstly, it would seem that Ronnie Flanagan has now been made a sort of scapegoat for the Omagh bombing. Considering the virulence of the criticism levelled against him, one would almost think that he had planted the bomb. Moreover, the judge in the trial lambasted the police for supposedly not collecting and storing the DNA samples property, but then rejected the whole science and technology behind the analysis of the Low Copy Number DNA type of testing used in this case.
So even if the DNA forensic evidence had been properly collected, the judge would have rejected it anyway.
It must surely be a valid question if the judge has the knowledge or qualifications to pass judgment on the validity of the science and technology of forensic testing.
Low Copy DNA testing continues to be used in courts elsewhere in the UK, and in other parts of Europe. Also, this raises another very pertinent question which looms over this trial.
If the judge can see fit to reject the forensic evidence produced through the DNA testing process, then this surely sets a rather dangerous precedent, in that any judge anywhere could reject all forensic evidence presented to him, no matter how carefully and properly it was collected - or however well established.
It should be remembered that the great difficulties involved in finding sufficient evidence to convict an accused perpetrator of a terrorist crime is often beyond the best capabilities of human endeavour. There have been many other terrorist crimes, for which the perpetrators have not been found. There surely must be people out there who know the identity of those involved in planting the Omagh bomb.
These are the people who hold the key to solving this case. If they come forward and disclose what they know, then the perpetrators can be found - and hopefully convicted.
Yours,
BE
(Full name and address supplied)
Sir,
There are a number of vital questions connected to the Omagh bomb trial, which have not been raised or put forward in the news media - but which remain unanswered in the minds of the general public.
Firstly, it would seem that Ronnie Flanagan has now been made a sort of scapegoat for the Omagh bombing. Considering the virulence of the criticism levelled against him, one would almost think that he had planted the bomb. Moreover, the judge in the trial lambasted the police for supposedly not collecting and storing the DNA samples property, but then rejected the whole science and technology behind the analysis of the Low Copy Number DNA type of testing used in this case.
So even if the DNA forensic evidence had been properly collected, the judge would have rejected it anyway.
It must surely be a valid question if the judge has the knowledge or qualifications to pass judgment on the validity of the science and technology of forensic testing.
Low Copy DNA testing continues to be used in courts elsewhere in the UK, and in other parts of Europe. Also, this raises another very pertinent question which looms over this trial.
If the judge can see fit to reject the forensic evidence produced through the DNA testing process, then this surely sets a rather dangerous precedent, in that any judge anywhere could reject all forensic evidence presented to him, no matter how carefully and properly it was collected - or however well established.
It should be remembered that the great difficulties involved in finding sufficient evidence to convict an accused perpetrator of a terrorist crime is often beyond the best capabilities of human endeavour. There have been many other terrorist crimes, for which the perpetrators have not been found. There surely must be people out there who know the identity of those involved in planting the Omagh bomb.
These are the people who hold the key to solving this case. If they come forward and disclose what they know, then the perpetrators can be found - and hopefully convicted.
Yours,
BE
(Full name and address supplied)
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1924
Published Date: 06-Mar-08
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