OMAGH ACCUSED
OMAGH ACCUSED
By DIARMAID MacDERMOTT
Owner of bar faces bomb charge
PUB owner Colm Murphy, left, yesterday became the first person to be charged in connection with the Omagh bombing.
Murphy, 48, a native of Co Armagh and with an address in Ravensdale, Co Louth, appeared at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on two charges connected with the atrocity last August 15 which killed 29 people.
He was charged with conspiring to cause an explosion with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury between August 13 and 16 and membership of an illegal organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army or Oglaigh na hEireann on August 14 last year.
He was remanded in custody following a 10-minute hearing.
Murphy was one of seven men arrested by Gardai recently.
Det Insp Tadhg Foley of Monaghan Garda station told the court that Murphy was arrested last Sunday at Ravensdale, Co Louth, under the Offences Against the State Act.
He said his detention was extended for a further 24 hours on Monday by Chief Supt Colm Rooney and for a further 24 hours on Tuesday after an application to Monaghan District Court.
Det Insp Foley said he released Murphy from the Section 30 arrest at 9.33pm on Tuesday night and arrested him under Section 4 of the Criminal Law Act of 1997 for conspiracy to cause an explosion in the state or elsewhere.
He said Murphy told him he had nothing to say after he was cautioned.
Mr Justice Frederick Morris told Murphy's barrister, Cormac Quinn BL, that he would have to give 48 hours notice before making a bail application and the court remanded Murphy in custody until March 18.
During the 10-minute hearing Murphy, who wore a grey suit, yellow shirt and patterned tie, spoke only once. He replied Yes when asked by the court registrar if he was Colm Murphy.
Held
Three men are still being held by Gardai investigating the bombing, one in Carrickmacross and two in Monaghan.
Two other men are also in RUC custody.
One is Omagh councillor Francis Mackey, 44, who is currently chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee.
He is being detained at Strand Road police station in Derry. The RUC released four other suspects without charge on Tuesday night.
By DIARMAID MacDERMOTT
Owner of bar faces bomb charge
PUB owner Colm Murphy, left, yesterday became the first person to be charged in connection with the Omagh bombing.
Murphy, 48, a native of Co Armagh and with an address in Ravensdale, Co Louth, appeared at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on two charges connected with the atrocity last August 15 which killed 29 people.
He was charged with conspiring to cause an explosion with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury between August 13 and 16 and membership of an illegal organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army or Oglaigh na hEireann on August 14 last year.
He was remanded in custody following a 10-minute hearing.
Murphy was one of seven men arrested by Gardai recently.
Det Insp Tadhg Foley of Monaghan Garda station told the court that Murphy was arrested last Sunday at Ravensdale, Co Louth, under the Offences Against the State Act.
He said his detention was extended for a further 24 hours on Monday by Chief Supt Colm Rooney and for a further 24 hours on Tuesday after an application to Monaghan District Court.
Det Insp Foley said he released Murphy from the Section 30 arrest at 9.33pm on Tuesday night and arrested him under Section 4 of the Criminal Law Act of 1997 for conspiracy to cause an explosion in the state or elsewhere.
He said Murphy told him he had nothing to say after he was cautioned.
Mr Justice Frederick Morris told Murphy's barrister, Cormac Quinn BL, that he would have to give 48 hours notice before making a bail application and the court remanded Murphy in custody until March 18.
During the 10-minute hearing Murphy, who wore a grey suit, yellow shirt and patterned tie, spoke only once. He replied Yes when asked by the court registrar if he was Colm Murphy.
Held
Three men are still being held by Gardai investigating the bombing, one in Carrickmacross and two in Monaghan.
Two other men are also in RUC custody.
One is Omagh councillor Francis Mackey, 44, who is currently chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee.
He is being detained at Strand Road police station in Derry. The RUC released four other suspects without charge on Tuesday night.
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/085
Published Date: 25-Feb-99
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