OMAGH BOMB SUSPECT IN FAKE PASSPORT PROBE
Omagh bomb suspect in fake passport probe
One of the men alleged to have been involved in the Omagh bomb is being investigated in relation to claims that he obtained a false British passport, a court in Belfast heard this week.
Liam Campbell, 46, a farmer from Dundalk, is opposing a legal bid to extradite him to Lithuania over arms smuggling charges.
He was arrested in Co Armagh at the end of last month, having crossed the border from the Republic of Ireland, where extradition proceedings to bring him to the Baltic state are already underway.
He was taken to the PSNI's Serious Crime Suite in Antrim, where he was questioned for four days over his alleged involvement in the 1998 Omagh bomb.
He was released without charge but re-arrested once more, under a European Arrest Warrant issued in Lithuania.
A lawyer representing the Lithuanian authorities, opposing the application for bail at Laganside Recorders Court, outlined the details of the alleged passport fraud, stating that the there was an investigation into the "obtaining by Mr Campbell of a British, a UK passport in the name of John Campbell." He said the matter was detected by the UK Passport Agency and showed Belfast Recorder, Tom Burgess, a copy of a document relating to the suspect passport.
Judge Burgess was shown a document including a photograph which, he was told, could be used to identify Mr Campbell as the applicant.
Authorities in Lithuania are seeking Campbell, in connection with a foiled plot to bring arms and explosives into Ireland two years ago.
He is one of five men being sued in a civil action by families of the victims of the Omagh bomb for their alleged part in the 1998 atrocity.
During a court hearing last week his lawyer Peter Corrigan stated his client had not breached his bail conditions by crossing the border, adding that he only entered Northern Ireland to leave his wife to work.
Mr Burgess rejected the bail application claiming it would be inappropriate given the particular circumstances of the case.
Mr Campbell was remanded in custody until a full hearing on June 19.
One of the men alleged to have been involved in the Omagh bomb is being investigated in relation to claims that he obtained a false British passport, a court in Belfast heard this week.
Liam Campbell, 46, a farmer from Dundalk, is opposing a legal bid to extradite him to Lithuania over arms smuggling charges.
He was arrested in Co Armagh at the end of last month, having crossed the border from the Republic of Ireland, where extradition proceedings to bring him to the Baltic state are already underway.
He was taken to the PSNI's Serious Crime Suite in Antrim, where he was questioned for four days over his alleged involvement in the 1998 Omagh bomb.
He was released without charge but re-arrested once more, under a European Arrest Warrant issued in Lithuania.
A lawyer representing the Lithuanian authorities, opposing the application for bail at Laganside Recorders Court, outlined the details of the alleged passport fraud, stating that the there was an investigation into the "obtaining by Mr Campbell of a British, a UK passport in the name of John Campbell." He said the matter was detected by the UK Passport Agency and showed Belfast Recorder, Tom Burgess, a copy of a document relating to the suspect passport.
Judge Burgess was shown a document including a photograph which, he was told, could be used to identify Mr Campbell as the applicant.
Authorities in Lithuania are seeking Campbell, in connection with a foiled plot to bring arms and explosives into Ireland two years ago.
He is one of five men being sued in a civil action by families of the victims of the Omagh bomb for their alleged part in the 1998 atrocity.
During a court hearing last week his lawyer Peter Corrigan stated his client had not breached his bail conditions by crossing the border, adding that he only entered Northern Ireland to leave his wife to work.
Mr Burgess rejected the bail application claiming it would be inappropriate given the particular circumstances of the case.
Mr Campbell was remanded in custody until a full hearing on June 19.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1977
Published Date: 04-Jun-09
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