HOEY DEFENCE TEAM SECURES DNA EVIDENCE
Hoey defence team secures DNA evidence
PROSECUTION lawyers in the trial of the only man charged with the Omagh bomb, have reacted quickly to a warning from a High Court judge.
The legal team agreed to provide details of DNA and other forensic evidence in the case of Sean Hoey.
Hoey, 36, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, Co. Armagh, has denied murdering 29 people in the Real IRA attack in 1998.
Mr Justice Weir told the prosecution on Friday last that if it does not co-operate with the defence, that he will be forced to exclude evidence during the trial. A lawyer for Sean Hoey had asked Mr Justice Weir to order the disclosure of electronic data relating to DNA alleged to have been found on three bombs.
A Crown lawyer said the forensic expert who carried out the tests wanted to consult his superiors over the request.
The application in the trial of the South Armagh man was adjourned but the judge said he wanted it resolved by Monday which did happen.
He said in the High Court on Friday, "I am not going to allow ducks and drakes to be played with this.
"I have power to exclude evidence if proper facilities have not been afforded to the defence and I will have no hesitation in using that power."
Hoey denies the Omagh charges and others connected to more Real IRA attacks, including one in 2001.
Mr Justice Weir said he had previously made it clear that all preliminary matters should be dealt with well in advance of the trial.
He added, "Now I find in the middle of July this sort of nonsense and I am not going to put up with it."
PROSECUTION lawyers in the trial of the only man charged with the Omagh bomb, have reacted quickly to a warning from a High Court judge.
The legal team agreed to provide details of DNA and other forensic evidence in the case of Sean Hoey.
Hoey, 36, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, Co. Armagh, has denied murdering 29 people in the Real IRA attack in 1998.
Mr Justice Weir told the prosecution on Friday last that if it does not co-operate with the defence, that he will be forced to exclude evidence during the trial. A lawyer for Sean Hoey had asked Mr Justice Weir to order the disclosure of electronic data relating to DNA alleged to have been found on three bombs.
A Crown lawyer said the forensic expert who carried out the tests wanted to consult his superiors over the request.
The application in the trial of the South Armagh man was adjourned but the judge said he wanted it resolved by Monday which did happen.
He said in the High Court on Friday, "I am not going to allow ducks and drakes to be played with this.
"I have power to exclude evidence if proper facilities have not been afforded to the defence and I will have no hesitation in using that power."
Hoey denies the Omagh charges and others connected to more Real IRA attacks, including one in 2001.
Mr Justice Weir said he had previously made it clear that all preliminary matters should be dealt with well in advance of the trial.
He added, "Now I find in the middle of July this sort of nonsense and I am not going to put up with it."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1840
Published Date: 20-Jul-06
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