MURPHY IN COURT BID TO STOP OMAGH BOMBING RETRIAL
Murphy in Court bid to stop Omagh bombing retrial
COLM Murphy is taking High Court action in a bid to stop his retrial on conspiracy charges connected with the Omagh bomb.
The Real IRA bombing on August 15, 1998, killed 29 people and unborn twins.
The 53-year-old building contractor is due to stand trial at the non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin on January 11 next year.
Murphy from Co. Louth claims that the "systemic delay" in prosecuting him has prejudiced his right to a fair and speedy trial. He said this included a three-year delay by the Director of Public Prosecutions in proceeding with perjury charges against two gardai who gave evidence at his first trial, which opened in 2001.
Earlier this year, one of those gardai, Detective Liam Donnelly brought unsuccessful High Court proceeding aimed at halting his trial on perjury charges. He and the second officer, Detective John Fahy, have been returned tor trial later this year.
Mr Justice Larfhlaith O'Neill said there was urgency in the case and he returned it for mention on July 27.
Murphy, a native of Co Armagh but with an address at Jordan's Corner, Ravensdale, Co. Louth, was freed on bail last year after the Court of Criminal Appeal quashed his conviction and 14-year sentence for conspiracy offences connected with the Real IRA bombing in Omagh.
COLM Murphy is taking High Court action in a bid to stop his retrial on conspiracy charges connected with the Omagh bomb.
The Real IRA bombing on August 15, 1998, killed 29 people and unborn twins.
The 53-year-old building contractor is due to stand trial at the non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin on January 11 next year.
Murphy from Co. Louth claims that the "systemic delay" in prosecuting him has prejudiced his right to a fair and speedy trial. He said this included a three-year delay by the Director of Public Prosecutions in proceeding with perjury charges against two gardai who gave evidence at his first trial, which opened in 2001.
Earlier this year, one of those gardai, Detective Liam Donnelly brought unsuccessful High Court proceeding aimed at halting his trial on perjury charges. He and the second officer, Detective John Fahy, have been returned tor trial later this year.
Mr Justice Larfhlaith O'Neill said there was urgency in the case and he returned it for mention on July 27.
Murphy, a native of Co Armagh but with an address at Jordan's Corner, Ravensdale, Co. Louth, was freed on bail last year after the Court of Criminal Appeal quashed his conviction and 14-year sentence for conspiracy offences connected with the Real IRA bombing in Omagh.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1841
Published Date: 20-Jul-06
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