Omagh verdict expected today

full back · December 20, 2007, 10:14:39 AM

Judge to give Omagh bomb verdict

Twenty-nine people died in Omagh on 15 August 1998
The judge in the trial of the man accused of involvement in the Omagh bombing will deliver his verdict later.
Sean Hoey, 38, from Molly Road in Jonesborough, denies a total of 56 charges, including the murders of 29 people killed in Omagh in August 1998.

During the trial, the prosecution alleged that DNA evidence linked him to the Omagh bombing and other explosions.

The defence argued that the evidence was unreliable and did not provide the basis for a conviction.

It was also revealed in court that two police witnesses had lied about how they had gathered some of the forensic evidence.

Much of the prosecution case was based on forensic evidence, particularly a type of DNA evidence, called low copy number DNA - a new and sensitive form of testing.

The defence have challenged low copy number DNA and prosecution experts themselves have differed in their evidence as to how reliable they believe it to be.

Video link

The judge, Mr Justice Weir, will give his verdict on Thursday afternoon, 10 months after the end of one of the largest murder trials in UK legal history.

When the trial ended he acknowledged he had a great deal to think about and a great deal of material to look at again.

The families of many of those who died in Omagh on 15 August 1998 are expected to travel to Belfast Crown Court to hear the verdict. Others will watch a video link set up in Omagh College.

In addition to the 29 counts of murder, Sean Hoey is also charged with five counts of conspiracy to murder, four counts of conspiracy to cause an explosion, six counts of causing an explosion, and 12 counts of possession of explosive devices.

The oldest victim in the Omagh bomb was 66 and the youngest just 18-months-old.

There was evidence from hundreds of witnesses during the 56 day trial and there were more than 500 items of evidence.

Charges were brought against Sean Hoey in 2005, after a review of the forensic and scientific evidence.

A new police inquiry began in May 2002 and followed criticism by the then Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, of the original investigation by the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

Nimbus · December 20, 2007, 01:46:34 PM

Any news of the judge?

Goats Do Shave · December 20, 2007, 02:42:38 PM

Some crowd of meeja all round the courts there...

still no word though? - Must be imminent?

guy crouchback · December 20, 2007, 03:55:58 PM

not guilty

red hander · December 20, 2007, 03:57:43 PM

Honestly believed that would be what would happen... the prosecution completely fucked up and the police forensics people behaved appallingly...

Maximus Marillius · December 20, 2007, 04:06:13 PM

I have followed this closely and fully expected the not gulity verdict. The judge gave the police an ear slapping....further backing up O'Loane's earlier report on the police handling of the Omagh investigation.

SeanSouth · December 20, 2007, 04:18:28 PM

Did he do it though?

Maximus Marillius · December 20, 2007, 04:19:36 PM

no one knows...the evidence suggests he did not

red hander · December 20, 2007, 04:23:40 PM

£16m spent by police building their case and the judge says prosecution's case wasn't up to the required standard.

Isn't about time Ronnie Flanagan was in the dock?

Doogie Browser · December 20, 2007, 05:07:30 PM

As someone who followed this trial and with limited legal knowledge it was obvious to everyone that he would be found not guilty. Over zealous policing desperate to get someone for a truly heinous crime, a complete waste of resources and massive blow to those who were seeking proper justice.

I agree, Ronnie Flanagan's handling of this was a disgrace from the start.

Guillem2 · December 20, 2007, 05:15:30 PM

Hoey was framed. Plain and simple. Let's call a spade a spade. The only surprise is that they didn't convict on the fabricated evidence.

stew · December 20, 2007, 05:48:10 PM

Quote from: Guillem2 on December 20, 2007, 05:15:30 PM
Hoey was framed. Plain and simple. Let's call a spade a spade. The only surprise is that they didn't convict on the fabricated evidence.

Rather than take that stance how about celebrating the fact that the judge saw through the police evidence and freed an innoocent man. I would also celebrate the fact that the courts seem to be leaning toward a fairer judicial system.

Now lets see the spindoctors come in here and do their worst. Flanagan is a disgrace and has been an embarassment for years, if he had any self respect he would resign in shame.

An innocent man is free today, it is a good day.

pintsofguinness · December 20, 2007, 06:36:40 PM

Justice done it would appear.

Lies from the police, who would have thought it.

carnaross · December 20, 2007, 07:07:00 PM

An innocent man may be free, but as has been said earlier, is he innocent? If this new forensic evidence is to be believed the perpetrator was a fourteen-year-old boy from Nottingham. So, of course Hoey is innocent!

The RUC and the PSNI have let the families and friends of the victims of the Omagh bomb down badly and should be called to account, especially Flanagan, Marshall and Cooper. Marshall and Cooper should be charged with perjury.

pintsofguinness · December 20, 2007, 08:47:58 PM

QuoteAn innocent man may be free, but as has been said earlier, is he innocent? If this new forensic evidence is to be believed the perpetrator was a fourteen-year-old boy from Nottingham. So, of course Hoey is innocent!

That's just not true Carnaross is it?