Omagh suspect seeks DNA help

AN electrician accused of making the Omagh bomb is bringing in a DNA expert in a bid to prove police bias, a court in the North was told yesterday.

Sean Gerard Hoey, aged 34, denies plotting a string of terrorist attacks leading up to the Real IRA massacre in August 1998.

He faces 18 charges involving explosives and membership of the dissident republican organisation behind the Omagh outrage.

But at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court yesterday, a defence solicitor demanded to see notes made by the prosecution forensic scientist based on police briefings.

Peter Corrigan, for Hoey, alleged the report was not impartial. Mr Corrigan said: “We have instructed a defence DNA expert to comment in particular on whether or not the prosecution biologist’s report is partisan and biased. This may provide the defence expert with evidence that police exerted undue influence on the scientist.”

Hoey’s alleged offences include possession of a timer power unit between March 1997 and August 16 1998 - the day after terrorists devastated the County Tyrone market town, killing 29 people and unborn twins.

He is also accused of conspiring to cause explosions in the run-up to the Omagh attack. Hoey has already had a High Court bail application rejected.

Remanding Hoey in custody until September 16, magistrate Alan White called for officers to provide an update on the case.

“I will include this issue of access by the defendant to forensic records.

“Why, if they are not being allowed access, what are the reasons for that,” he said.