BOMBING SUSPECT FACES 5 NEW CHARGES
Bombing suspect faces 5 new charges
A MAN awaiting trial on offences linked to the police investigation into the Omagh bomb atrocity faced five new charges last Thursday.
Sean Gerard Hoey, 34, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, in south Armagh was accused of plotting three bomb attacks in the run-up to the August 1998 atrocity in Omagh.
The electrician has also been charged with possession of a vehicle and a trailer containing explosives. Hoey denies all the allegations.
As he appeared in the dock at Craigavon Magistrates Court, a senior detective said he could connect him with the offences. The court heard how Hoey allegedly conspired to cause explosions in Armagh and Backwatertown between March 1997 and July 1998.
He was also accused of being involved in the bomb attack at Newry Street in Banbridge, Co Down which wounded dozens of people just two weeks before the Real IRA wreaked havoc on Omagh.
Acting Det. Chief Inspector David McWilliams said Hoey had replied 'not guilty' when all five charges were put to him.
The accused, who is awaiting trial on fifteen other charges, said nothing during his ten-minute appearance in the dock.
A defence lawyer challenged the detective to reveal when his client, who has been in custody for six months, can expect prosecution papers to be completed.
Mr McWilliams said it was a fairly complicated case involving a lot of documents but it was hoped by the end of May they would have a file with the DPP. The officer agreed with the solicitor that Hoey had co-operated fully with police and he emphatically denied all allegations against him.
Hoey was remanded until April 1 when he will appear again via videolink at Craigavon Magistrates Court.
A MAN awaiting trial on offences linked to the police investigation into the Omagh bomb atrocity faced five new charges last Thursday.
Sean Gerard Hoey, 34, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, in south Armagh was accused of plotting three bomb attacks in the run-up to the August 1998 atrocity in Omagh.
The electrician has also been charged with possession of a vehicle and a trailer containing explosives. Hoey denies all the allegations.
As he appeared in the dock at Craigavon Magistrates Court, a senior detective said he could connect him with the offences. The court heard how Hoey allegedly conspired to cause explosions in Armagh and Backwatertown between March 1997 and July 1998.
He was also accused of being involved in the bomb attack at Newry Street in Banbridge, Co Down which wounded dozens of people just two weeks before the Real IRA wreaked havoc on Omagh.
Acting Det. Chief Inspector David McWilliams said Hoey had replied 'not guilty' when all five charges were put to him.
The accused, who is awaiting trial on fifteen other charges, said nothing during his ten-minute appearance in the dock.
A defence lawyer challenged the detective to reveal when his client, who has been in custody for six months, can expect prosecution papers to be completed.
Mr McWilliams said it was a fairly complicated case involving a lot of documents but it was hoped by the end of May they would have a file with the DPP. The officer agreed with the solicitor that Hoey had co-operated fully with police and he emphatically denied all allegations against him.
Hoey was remanded until April 1 when he will appear again via videolink at Craigavon Magistrates Court.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1641
Published Date: 11-Mar-04
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