Menu
20/12/2007
Omagh Bomb Trial Returns Not Guilty Verdict
A not guilty verdict was returned in the trial of a man accused of killing 29 people in the Omagh bombing.
Sean Hoey, 38, from Jonesborough, Co Armagh was cleared on a total of 56 charges relating to the 1998 bombing.
The attack, which devastated the Co Tyrone town, was carried out by the Real IRA.
The trial at Belfast Crown Court which lasted for 56 days ended in January. Mr Justice Weir delivered his verdict before relatives of those killed in the August 1998 bomb.
Family members were able to follow developments during the trial from Omagh by watching a special satellite video link with the Belfast court.
The prosecution case brought against Mr Hoey hinged on DNA evidence, specifically a type called low copy DNA.
However, the technique was strongly challenged by Hoey's defence team and during the hearing experts differed on how reliable they believed it to be.
They also challenged the integrity of some of the police and forensic witnesses while Mr Hoey himself did not go into the witness box.
Following a highly critical report by the Police Ombudsman, police launched a fresh inquiry in 2002 into the atrocity.
(BMcC)
Sean Hoey, 38, from Jonesborough, Co Armagh was cleared on a total of 56 charges relating to the 1998 bombing.
The attack, which devastated the Co Tyrone town, was carried out by the Real IRA.
The trial at Belfast Crown Court which lasted for 56 days ended in January. Mr Justice Weir delivered his verdict before relatives of those killed in the August 1998 bomb.
Family members were able to follow developments during the trial from Omagh by watching a special satellite video link with the Belfast court.
The prosecution case brought against Mr Hoey hinged on DNA evidence, specifically a type called low copy DNA.
However, the technique was strongly challenged by Hoey's defence team and during the hearing experts differed on how reliable they believed it to be.
They also challenged the integrity of some of the police and forensic witnesses while Mr Hoey himself did not go into the witness box.
Following a highly critical report by the Police Ombudsman, police launched a fresh inquiry in 2002 into the atrocity.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
Police Appeal Following Burglary In Ahoghill
Detectives are appealing for information following a report of a burglary in Ahoghill on Tuesday, 12th November. Police received a report that the back door of a house on the Ballymena Road was forced open shortly before 6pm.
Police Appeal Following Burglary In Ahoghill
Detectives are appealing for information following a report of a burglary in Ahoghill on Tuesday, 12th November. Police received a report that the back door of a house on the Ballymena Road was forced open shortly before 6pm.
20 December 2016
Six Officers Injured In 'Ramming Attacks'
Six police officers have been injured in two separate attacks in Armagh. A PSNI vehicle was rammed by a van in Crossmaglen on Sunday, 18 December, and two officers were injured. Police officers in two other vehicles went to investigate the first incident and were rammed by a car in the Dundalk Road area. Four officers were injured.
Six Officers Injured In 'Ramming Attacks'
Six police officers have been injured in two separate attacks in Armagh. A PSNI vehicle was rammed by a van in Crossmaglen on Sunday, 18 December, and two officers were injured. Police officers in two other vehicles went to investigate the first incident and were rammed by a car in the Dundalk Road area. Four officers were injured.
30 November 2006
Omagh judge orders investigation into evidence
The judge at the Omagh bomb trial has today hit out at two police officers after it emerged that there had been doubt cast upon the evidence in which they supplied to the court.
Omagh judge orders investigation into evidence
The judge at the Omagh bomb trial has today hit out at two police officers after it emerged that there had been doubt cast upon the evidence in which they supplied to the court.
25 September 2006
Omagh bomb accused trial resumes
The trial of the man accused of carrying out the 1998 Omagh bombing has resumed today in Belfast. The trial of Sean Gerard Hoey, a 37-year-old electrician from Jonesborough in County Armagh, began this morning after being adjourned earlier this month when the defence lawyer Orlando Pownall QC, said that he was too ill to commence with proceedings.
Omagh bomb accused trial resumes
The trial of the man accused of carrying out the 1998 Omagh bombing has resumed today in Belfast. The trial of Sean Gerard Hoey, a 37-year-old electrician from Jonesborough in County Armagh, began this morning after being adjourned earlier this month when the defence lawyer Orlando Pownall QC, said that he was too ill to commence with proceedings.
21 September 2006
Video-link set up for trial of Omagh bomber
The families of the Omagh bomb victims will be able to follow the events of the trial of the man accused of carrying out the atrocity, by a special video-link facility which is to be set up in between Belfast Court and Omagh College.
Video-link set up for trial of Omagh bomber
The families of the Omagh bomb victims will be able to follow the events of the trial of the man accused of carrying out the atrocity, by a special video-link facility which is to be set up in between Belfast Court and Omagh College.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
