OMAGH BOMB ARREST SOUND
Omagh bomb arrest 'sound'
DUBLIN'S Special Criminal Court has ruled that the arrest and detention of Colm Murphy the only man charged in connection with the Omagh bombing was based on a sound legal grounding.
The ruling was arrived at after several days of legal argument during which Murphy's defence team argued that detectives had no justification to arrest and hold the 49-year-old father of four.
Murphy, from Dundalk Co Louth denies conspiring to cause an explosion likely to cause loss of life or serious injury between August 13th and 16th 1998.
Twenty-nine men women and children and unborn twins died and hundreds more were injured when a 3501b car bomb ripped through the town on August 15th 1998.
During last week's hearing Justice Barr said the court was satisfied the arrest and detention were lawful in the ruling at the no jury, three judge court.
However, on an application by Michael O'Higgins SC, he barred journalists from reporting the reasoning behind the decision that had been read out in court.
Justice Barr said it would be 'unfair' if the evidence exposed in the ruling was reported which "at the end of day may not stand up to analysis."
The restriction follows another gagging order imposed on October 16 banning journalists from reporting what was said during legal arguments.
DUBLIN'S Special Criminal Court has ruled that the arrest and detention of Colm Murphy the only man charged in connection with the Omagh bombing was based on a sound legal grounding.
The ruling was arrived at after several days of legal argument during which Murphy's defence team argued that detectives had no justification to arrest and hold the 49-year-old father of four.
Murphy, from Dundalk Co Louth denies conspiring to cause an explosion likely to cause loss of life or serious injury between August 13th and 16th 1998.
Twenty-nine men women and children and unborn twins died and hundreds more were injured when a 3501b car bomb ripped through the town on August 15th 1998.
During last week's hearing Justice Barr said the court was satisfied the arrest and detention were lawful in the ruling at the no jury, three judge court.
However, on an application by Michael O'Higgins SC, he barred journalists from reporting the reasoning behind the decision that had been read out in court.
Justice Barr said it would be 'unfair' if the evidence exposed in the ruling was reported which "at the end of day may not stand up to analysis."
The restriction follows another gagging order imposed on October 16 banning journalists from reporting what was said during legal arguments.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0855
Published Date: 01-Nov-01
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