BOMB TRIAL TO BE BROADCAST LIVE TO TOWN
Bomb trial to be broadcast live to town
BY RONAN McSHERRY
r.mcsherry@ulsterherald.com
THE trial of Omagh bomb suspect Sean Hoey, which was adjourned yesterday, is to be beamed live back to the town. It is expected to last until close to Christmas. The last minute adjournment came as a shock to relatives and friends of the 29 victims, who had packed the public gallery after travelling all the way to Belfast from Omagh. The plan to relay the proceedings live to a local venue has been welcomed by those wanting to attend the trial. Michael Gallagher, chairman of the families support group, "This live video link is so a large number of people in Omagh do not have to travel the long distance back and forward each day. "That would be a terrible burden for them both financially and emotionally. It is important that the families have the opportunity to see everything which happens in court.
"There will be a tremendous amount of interest in some of the expert witness evidence as well as the forensic evidence." It is not known where the large screen will be located. With the trial now likely to start on September 18 it is hoped suitable arrangements for viewing can be put in place by then.
Mr Gallagher continued, "The Court Service will now have to set this up as quickly as possible. They will be looking at venues in the town. It could possibly be located in the library."
The trial of Sean Hoey has been described as the biggest mass murder trial in British or Irish legal history. Mr Gallagher added, "This will also be of tremendous educational interest. There will be schools and students who will want to study what is happening in court. This will be the biggest criminal trial ever in Ireland and it is proper that as many people as possible should be given a chance to see the proceedings."
"It should be a relatively simple thing to set up. It just needs to have a large screen and a link which can beam pictures and sound to it."
Electrician Sean Hoey (37) faces 29 murder charges as well as 25 explosive offences and seven charges of conspiring to murder members of the security forces, all relating to the Omagh blast in August 1998.
BY RONAN McSHERRY
r.mcsherry@ulsterherald.com
THE trial of Omagh bomb suspect Sean Hoey, which was adjourned yesterday, is to be beamed live back to the town. It is expected to last until close to Christmas. The last minute adjournment came as a shock to relatives and friends of the 29 victims, who had packed the public gallery after travelling all the way to Belfast from Omagh. The plan to relay the proceedings live to a local venue has been welcomed by those wanting to attend the trial. Michael Gallagher, chairman of the families support group, "This live video link is so a large number of people in Omagh do not have to travel the long distance back and forward each day. "That would be a terrible burden for them both financially and emotionally. It is important that the families have the opportunity to see everything which happens in court.
"There will be a tremendous amount of interest in some of the expert witness evidence as well as the forensic evidence." It is not known where the large screen will be located. With the trial now likely to start on September 18 it is hoped suitable arrangements for viewing can be put in place by then.
Mr Gallagher continued, "The Court Service will now have to set this up as quickly as possible. They will be looking at venues in the town. It could possibly be located in the library."
The trial of Sean Hoey has been described as the biggest mass murder trial in British or Irish legal history. Mr Gallagher added, "This will also be of tremendous educational interest. There will be schools and students who will want to study what is happening in court. This will be the biggest criminal trial ever in Ireland and it is proper that as many people as possible should be given a chance to see the proceedings."
"It should be a relatively simple thing to set up. It just needs to have a large screen and a link which can beam pictures and sound to it."
Electrician Sean Hoey (37) faces 29 murder charges as well as 25 explosive offences and seven charges of conspiring to murder members of the security forces, all relating to the Omagh blast in August 1998.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1862
Published Date: 07-Sep-06
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