UH/0583

Omagh bomb accused confronted in court

THE HUSBAND of one of the victim's of the Omagh bomb came face to face with the man charged with plotting the atrocity.
Lawrence Rush had travelled to Dublin's Special Criminal Court on Tuesday for the appearance of Dundalk man, Colm Murphy who stands charged with plotting the bomb.
Mr Rush, whose wife Libbi was one of the twenty-nine victims, confronted Murphy as he stood in the foyer with his legal counsel.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Rush said his anger just 'boiled over' after seeing the accused 'laughing and chatting with his legal advisers'.
He said he had travelled by train to Dublin to see Murphy appear at Court. "I finally had seen the guy. I was angry that this was going to continue and continue.
"I went to leave and he was just standing there laughing in the foyer. My anger boiled over because he was standing there as free as a bird.
I went over and cried 'You're a bastard for killing my wife'.
He said Murphy was pleading that he did not do it.
Mr Rush said he was accompanied from the Court by two Gardai whom he said were very sympathetic.
He plans to go back to the Court for the trial as does other families affected by the bomb.
Members of the Omagh Support & Self Help Group are to meet with RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan in Omagh on 30th October to get a full update on the police investigation into the bombing.
They are frustrated at the length of time it is taking to bring someone to boot for the awful atrocity.
At this week's hearing, Colm Murphy - a 46 year old building contractor and publican with an address at Jordan's Corner, Ravensdale, Co Lough, was remanded on bail to next Tuesday.
Murphy, who is originally from Co Armagh, is charged with conspiring in Dundalk with another person not before the court to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious damage to property in the State or elsewhere between 13th - 16th August,1998.
He is also charged with membership of an illegal organisation, styling itself Oglaigh na hEireann on 14th august last year.
Gearoid Ryall, an assistant State solicitor, told the court that the book of evidence had been served and the trial was expected to last four weeks.
Murphy was released on continuing bail of £100,000. At next week's appearance a trial date will be fixed.