UH/0916

Omagh bomb accused trial to resume tomorrow

THE trial resumes at Dublin Special Criminal Court on Friday of the only man charged in connection with the Omagh bombing.
Colm Murphy, 49, a building contractor and publican from Jordan's Corner, Ravensdale, Co Louth, denies conspiring with others to cause an explosion between August 13 and 16,1998.
ADJOURNED
Murphy's trial was adjourned on November 19 after one of the three judges, Justice Mary O'Halloran SC, was admitted to hospital.
Since the postponement, the accused has remained on continuing bail of IR£50,000.
A key element in the trial to date centred around allegations that gardai had altered notes relating to an interview carried out with Murphy in relation to the offence.
In a judgement delivered before the adjournment, Justice Robert Barr stated that it was an inescapable fact that two of the six officers who interviewed Murphy had lied to the court.
In sworn evidence, Detective Garda Liam Donnelly said he had not rewritten the notes.
However, a forensic report produced for the defence during the hearing found that the notes had in fact been altered.
Murphy is accused of assisting the bombers by lending them his cell phone.