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Omagh bomb evidence re-examined | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The Policing Board has pledged an independent review of all investigations into the Omagh bombing. | |
It follows a meeting of the board on Thursday when Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde was questioned about damning comments made by the trial judge. | |
Last month, Sean Hoey was cleared of 58 charges, including the murders of 29 people in the 1998 Real IRA attack. | Last month, Sean Hoey was cleared of 58 charges, including the murders of 29 people in the 1998 Real IRA attack. |
Sir Hugh confirmed two officers under investigation following the trial are still on duty with the police. | |
Mr Justice Weir told the Omagh trial two officers on the case were guilty of "deliberate and calculated deception". | Mr Justice Weir told the Omagh trial two officers on the case were guilty of "deliberate and calculated deception". |
Sir Hugh confirmed on Thursday that one is currently working as a chief inspector, the another is a constable. | |
Speaking at a news conference, Sir Hugh said he would act on any recommendations from a current investigation by the Police Ombudsman. | |
He said the allegation about the two officers was in relation to a device in 2001, not in relation to the Omagh investigation. | He said the allegation about the two officers was in relation to a device in 2001, not in relation to the Omagh investigation. |
Twenty-nine people were killed in the Omagh bomb | |
"The judge's comments were rightly damning. I have said I will deal with that through the Police Ombudsman," he said. | "The judge's comments were rightly damning. I have said I will deal with that through the Police Ombudsman," he said. |
"Rest assured, when the ombudsman reports, I will take firm action if it needs to be taken." | "Rest assured, when the ombudsman reports, I will take firm action if it needs to be taken." |
He also said the decision to prosecute Mr Hoey was "sound." | He also said the decision to prosecute Mr Hoey was "sound." |
Policing Board member Jeffrey Donaldson said an independent overview wouldlook afresh at the Omagh case. | |
"The objective is to re-focus on the evidence and bring the focus back againon the need to secure a prosecution," he said. | |
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. |
Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who is now head of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, was the RUC chief constable at the time of the Omagh bombing. | Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who is now head of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, was the RUC chief constable at the time of the Omagh 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. | 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. |
Last month, Sir Hugh defended the performance of police adding that detectives were hindered by mistakes during the initial investigation after the bombing. | Last month, Sir Hugh defended the performance of police adding that detectives were hindered by mistakes during the initial investigation after the bombing. |