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Evidence 'forensically altered' Evidence 'forensically altered'
(30 minutes later)
An Army officer has told the Omagh bomb trial that evidence from another attack Sean Hoey is accused of may have been "forensically altered".An Army officer has told the Omagh bomb trial that evidence from another attack Sean Hoey is accused of may have been "forensically altered".
This allegedly occurred as officers made safe the device, Belfast Crown Court has heard.This allegedly occurred as officers made safe the device, Belfast Crown Court has heard.
The officer was being questioned by Mr Justice Weir about a timer used in a 600lbs car bomb attack in Lisburn just months before the 1998 atrocity.The officer was being questioned by Mr Justice Weir about a timer used in a 600lbs car bomb attack in Lisburn just months before the 1998 atrocity.
Mr Hoey denies the 58 terrorism charges against him.Mr Hoey denies the 58 terrorism charges against him.
Two Army technical officers have now given differing evidence relating to how the timer power unit was handled.Two Army technical officers have now given differing evidence relating to how the timer power unit was handled.
A scenes of crime officer testified that black tape, which appears on the timer in photos when it was examined at a forensic lab three years later, was not on the item when he bagged it at the scene of the attack.A scenes of crime officer testified that black tape, which appears on the timer in photos when it was examined at a forensic lab three years later, was not on the item when he bagged it at the scene of the attack.
DNA and fibre evidence is an important part of the prosecution case.DNA and fibre evidence is an important part of the prosecution case.
'Denies involvement''Denies involvement'
The scenes of crime officer admitted that at the time of the Lisburn car bomb he did not consider any of the items recovered as being suitable for DNA analysis. Another scenes of crime officer admitted that at the time of the Lisburn car bomb he did not consider any of the items recovered as being suitable for DNA analysis.
During cross-examination, he accepted that as a result there was a danger of contamination because of the way evidence was handled at the time.During cross-examination, he accepted that as a result there was a danger of contamination because of the way evidence was handled at the time.
He also said there had been a possibility of fibres being transferred between items because of the way they were removed and stored.He also said there had been a possibility of fibres being transferred between items because of the way they were removed and stored.
The case against Mr Hoey, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, County Armagh, resumed on Monday after being adjourned earlier this month.The case against Mr Hoey, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, County Armagh, resumed on Monday after being adjourned earlier this month.
The 37-year-old denies involvement in the bombing in August 1998 in which 29 people died, including a woman pregnant with twins.The 37-year-old denies involvement in the bombing in August 1998 in which 29 people died, including a woman pregnant with twins.
The accused faces 58 terror charges, including five other bombings, four bomb conspiracies, and six murder conspiracies, to which he pleaded not guilty.The accused faces 58 terror charges, including five other bombings, four bomb conspiracies, and six murder conspiracies, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The proceedings are being broadcast in Omagh for the victims' families, under the same rules as would apply in court.The proceedings are being broadcast in Omagh for the victims' families, under the same rules as would apply in court.
The link, between Belfast Crown Court and Omagh College was set up at the request of a relatives' support group and will be available for the duration of the trial.The link, between Belfast Crown Court and Omagh College was set up at the request of a relatives' support group and will be available for the duration of the trial.