CHARGES IN BOMB TRIAL MIGHT BE DROPPED
Charges in bomb trial may be dropped
THE judge presiding over the Omagh bomb trial, Justice Weir, will decide today whether some of the charges facing defendant Sean Hoey should be dismissed.
Hoey, 37, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, Co. Armagh denies the 29 murders in Omagh on August 15, 1998 and a series of other Real IRA bombings and bomb finds between 1998 and 2001.
Hoey's defence team, led by Orlando Pownall QC, has claimed there had been 'a conspiracy' by a number of police officers to 'bury' evidence. This was allegedly in relation to some of the explosives charges he faces.
The leading lawyer further claimed officers had perjured themselves in court. He said it would not be fair to try the defendant on two charges linked to a mortar find at Altmore Forest, near Dungannon, in April 2001.
The application follows allegations that witness statements had been doctored to give the impression that certain forensic precautions had been taken at the scene, where photographs appeared to indicate that they had not.
Prosecution lawyer Gordon Kerr acknowledged there had been 'impropriety' in the way witness statements had been submitted. However, he said there was no prejudice to Hoey because the issue had been exposed and explored at trial.
The trial was also told that the prosecution no longer intends to introduce voice analysis evidence which it was suggested could link the accused to a 1998 explosion in Banbridge.
On Monday, Ciaran Murphy QC for the PPS, said that "having received a further report" from the expert, the prosecution "did not intend to lead evidence in respect of voice analysis."
Earlier this week the trial was told Hoey was first arrested on suspicion of involvement in the atrocity a month after the explosion. Police searched his home in September 1998. Belfast Crown Court heard he had been arrested and officers seized documents, phone records and a mobile phone and insulating tape.
At trial on Monday, statements were read from officers who had been involved in that search operation, and another at his home in June the following year.
The trial continues.
THE judge presiding over the Omagh bomb trial, Justice Weir, will decide today whether some of the charges facing defendant Sean Hoey should be dismissed.
Hoey, 37, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, Co. Armagh denies the 29 murders in Omagh on August 15, 1998 and a series of other Real IRA bombings and bomb finds between 1998 and 2001.
Hoey's defence team, led by Orlando Pownall QC, has claimed there had been 'a conspiracy' by a number of police officers to 'bury' evidence. This was allegedly in relation to some of the explosives charges he faces.
The leading lawyer further claimed officers had perjured themselves in court. He said it would not be fair to try the defendant on two charges linked to a mortar find at Altmore Forest, near Dungannon, in April 2001.
The application follows allegations that witness statements had been doctored to give the impression that certain forensic precautions had been taken at the scene, where photographs appeared to indicate that they had not.
Prosecution lawyer Gordon Kerr acknowledged there had been 'impropriety' in the way witness statements had been submitted. However, he said there was no prejudice to Hoey because the issue had been exposed and explored at trial.
The trial was also told that the prosecution no longer intends to introduce voice analysis evidence which it was suggested could link the accused to a 1998 explosion in Banbridge.
On Monday, Ciaran Murphy QC for the PPS, said that "having received a further report" from the expert, the prosecution "did not intend to lead evidence in respect of voice analysis."
Earlier this week the trial was told Hoey was first arrested on suspicion of involvement in the atrocity a month after the explosion. Police searched his home in September 1998. Belfast Crown Court heard he had been arrested and officers seized documents, phone records and a mobile phone and insulating tape.
At trial on Monday, statements were read from officers who had been involved in that search operation, and another at his home in June the following year.
The trial continues.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1880
Published Date: 30-Nov-06
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