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Conviction 'unlikely' over Omagh | Conviction 'unlikely' over Omagh |
(about 3 hours later) | |
NI's Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has said it is "highly unlikely" anyone will be convicted for the Omagh bomb. | NI's Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has said it is "highly unlikely" anyone will be convicted for the Omagh bomb. |
On Thursday, Sean Hoey was cleared of 58 charges, including the murders of 29 people in the Real IRA attack in 1998. | On Thursday, Sean Hoey was cleared of 58 charges, including the murders of 29 people in the Real IRA attack in 1998. |
The body that holds the police to account is to meet Sir Hugh to discuss scathing comments by the trial judge. | The body that holds the police to account is to meet Sir Hugh to discuss scathing comments by the trial judge. |
But Sir Hugh defended the performance of police adding that detectives were hindered by mistakes during the initial investigation after the bombing. | But Sir Hugh defended the performance of police adding that detectives were hindered by mistakes during the initial investigation after the bombing. |
In an interview for the BBC, Mr Orde conceded that exhibits were "not to the standard and were not packaged in the way we would do it now". | In an interview for the BBC, Mr Orde conceded that exhibits were "not to the standard and were not packaged in the way we would do it now". |
But he added: "It was an absolutely genuine attempt to do our very best with what little we had. | But he added: "It was an absolutely genuine attempt to do our very best with what little we had. |
Twenty-nine people were killed in the Omagh bomb | Twenty-nine people were killed in the Omagh bomb |
"I think we discharged that responsibility to the best of our ability with what was available." | "I think we discharged that responsibility to the best of our ability with what was available." |
Mr Hoey, 38, of Molly Road, Jonesborough in south Armagh, was the only person to have been charged with the Omagh murders - one of the worst atrocities of Northern Ireland's Troubles. | Mr Hoey, 38, of Molly Road, Jonesborough in south Armagh, was the only person to have been charged with the Omagh murders - one of the worst atrocities of Northern Ireland's Troubles. |
As he was giving his verdict, Mr Justice Weir said two officers working on the Omagh case were guilty of a "deliberate and calculated deception" | As he was giving his verdict, Mr Justice Weir said two officers working on the Omagh case were guilty of a "deliberate and calculated deception" |
Afterwards, Victor Barker, who lost his son, James, in the bombing, said ex-RUC chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan could not be allowed to continue as head of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. | Afterwards, Victor Barker, who lost his son, James, in the bombing, said ex-RUC chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan could not be allowed to continue as head of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. |
Sir Ronnie was head of the RUC at the time of the Omagh bombing. | Sir Ronnie was head of the RUC at the time of the Omagh bombing. |
Sir Ronnie heads up the Inspectorate of Constabulary | Sir Ronnie heads up the Inspectorate of Constabulary |
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward failed to give public support to Sir Ronnie, following the damning comments. | Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward failed to give public support to Sir Ronnie, following the damning comments. |
When asked by the BBC if Sir Ronnie still had the confidence of the government, the Northern Ireland Secretary would not be drawn. | When asked by the BBC if Sir Ronnie still had the confidence of the government, the Northern Ireland Secretary would not be drawn. |
"The lessons to be learned from this judgement are far and wide. It is important that we look at this very, very carefully," Mr Woodward told BBC Radio Ulster. | "The lessons to be learned from this judgement are far and wide. It is important that we look at this very, very carefully," Mr Woodward told BBC Radio Ulster. |
At a news conference later on Friday, Mr Woodward said: "I think it is extremely important that nobody reaches premature conclusions or makes any premature judgements. | |
"That obviously includes any implications for the then chief constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan. | |
"So my comments this morning have to be seen in that context." | |
Policing Board Chairman Sir Desmond Rea said they wanted to discuss the case. | Policing Board Chairman Sir Desmond Rea said they wanted to discuss the case. |
"Copies of the judgement and verdict were being sent to all board members," he said. | "Copies of the judgement and verdict were being sent to all board members," he said. |
Human Rights Commissions on both sides of the border have called for the British and Irish governments to set up an independent judicial inquiry into the bombing. | Human Rights Commissions on both sides of the border have called for the British and Irish governments to set up an independent judicial inquiry into the bombing. |
At the heart of the case were the bomb timers used in the attacks. Forensic scientists had examined them for both fibres and Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA. | At the heart of the case were the bomb timers used in the attacks. Forensic scientists had examined them for both fibres and Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA. |
LCN is a relatively recent development of DNA science which allows analysis of tiny samples of skin cells, sweat and other bodily fluids. | LCN is a relatively recent development of DNA science which allows analysis of tiny samples of skin cells, sweat and other bodily fluids. |
The prosecution claimed that the forensic examination had shown links to the south Armagh electrician. | The prosecution claimed that the forensic examination had shown links to the south Armagh electrician. |
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