BOMB TRIAL LEARNED OF BOMB SCENE SHAMBLES
Bomb trial learned of crime scene shambles
BY LOUISE DOYLE
DETECTIVE Chief Inspector, Philip Greer Marshall, admitted under cross examination at the Omagh bomb trial that people who had "no legitimate business" being in a preserved crime scene had accessed the area.
During the second day of the trial at Belfast Crown Court of alleged bomber, Sean Gerard Hoey, Det. Chief. Insp. Marshall revealed that the army's General Officer Commanding, two colonels, military intelligence officers and RUC officers had all been authorised onto the site of a mortar bomb find in April 2001.
When questioned by QC Orlando Pownall that "on every occasion your testimony is tested against the independent evidence it is found wanting in respect of Altmore", DCI Marshall simply replied "Yes I do." Mr Justice Weir then ordered transcripts of the evidence of both DCI Marshall and Top Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO), Fiona Cooper, to allow the crown to study it and report back within a week on whether they still wished the court to rely on that evidence.
Hoey, 37, an electrician from Holly Road, Jonesborough in South Armagh continued to deny a total of 58 charges, including the worst terrorist atrocity committed in Northern Ireland - the Omagh bombing in which 29 people, as well as unborn twins, lost their lives.
Under cross-examination from leading London QC Orlando Pownall, DCI Marshall was asked if he had not made a note of "improper things because you hoped to get away with it, but you were found out?" "Yes my Lord", he replied.
It was also revealed that two statements by Mrs Cooper dated October 22, 2002 could not have been made or signed by her on that date as she was in Zambia.
In connection to his presence at the scene of the bomb himself, DCI Marshall conveyed that he believed he had been wearing a forensic suit but when showed the photographs by Mr Pownall, he admitted that he had not been. In response to claims that exhibits were put into the van where other mortars had been found, DCI Marshall said that it would have been "crazy" to do that but added that if that did in fact happen he would have expected the SOCO to escort the van and potential items back to the station. However, on an examination of the incident log book, it was highlighted that the van left at 16.30 whilst both DCI Marshall and Mrs Cooper left an hour later.
Whilst being questioned by Justice Weir, DCI Marshall admitted that there has in fact been a "whole procession" of people through the area in the aftermath of the bomb including various Army top brass, before it had been decided to preserve it for the ultra-sensitive low copy number DNA examination. He also concluded that arm officials "would not have been wearing forensic protection suits."
BY LOUISE DOYLE
DETECTIVE Chief Inspector, Philip Greer Marshall, admitted under cross examination at the Omagh bomb trial that people who had "no legitimate business" being in a preserved crime scene had accessed the area.
During the second day of the trial at Belfast Crown Court of alleged bomber, Sean Gerard Hoey, Det. Chief. Insp. Marshall revealed that the army's General Officer Commanding, two colonels, military intelligence officers and RUC officers had all been authorised onto the site of a mortar bomb find in April 2001.
When questioned by QC Orlando Pownall that "on every occasion your testimony is tested against the independent evidence it is found wanting in respect of Altmore", DCI Marshall simply replied "Yes I do." Mr Justice Weir then ordered transcripts of the evidence of both DCI Marshall and Top Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO), Fiona Cooper, to allow the crown to study it and report back within a week on whether they still wished the court to rely on that evidence.
Hoey, 37, an electrician from Holly Road, Jonesborough in South Armagh continued to deny a total of 58 charges, including the worst terrorist atrocity committed in Northern Ireland - the Omagh bombing in which 29 people, as well as unborn twins, lost their lives.
Under cross-examination from leading London QC Orlando Pownall, DCI Marshall was asked if he had not made a note of "improper things because you hoped to get away with it, but you were found out?" "Yes my Lord", he replied.
It was also revealed that two statements by Mrs Cooper dated October 22, 2002 could not have been made or signed by her on that date as she was in Zambia.
In connection to his presence at the scene of the bomb himself, DCI Marshall conveyed that he believed he had been wearing a forensic suit but when showed the photographs by Mr Pownall, he admitted that he had not been. In response to claims that exhibits were put into the van where other mortars had been found, DCI Marshall said that it would have been "crazy" to do that but added that if that did in fact happen he would have expected the SOCO to escort the van and potential items back to the station. However, on an examination of the incident log book, it was highlighted that the van left at 16.30 whilst both DCI Marshall and Mrs Cooper left an hour later.
Whilst being questioned by Justice Weir, DCI Marshall admitted that there has in fact been a "whole procession" of people through the area in the aftermath of the bomb including various Army top brass, before it had been decided to preserve it for the ultra-sensitive low copy number DNA examination. He also concluded that arm officials "would not have been wearing forensic protection suits."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1886
Published Date: 04-Jan-07
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