Trial begins of first man charged over Omagh bombing

The trial of a 48-year-old man charged in connection with the 1998 Omagh bombing begins today before the non-jury Special Criminal Court.

Colm Murphy, a builder and publican from Jordan’s Corner, Ravensdale, Dundalk, Co Louth, is charged with conspiring to cause an explosion and with membership of an illegal organisation.

The father-of-four is the only person to be charged so far in connection with the Omagh atrocity, which claimed 29 lives on August 15th, 1998.

The prosecution in this case is expected to argue that Mr Murphy knowingly allowed his mobile phone to be used by persons involved in the bombing.

Gardai are expected to produce evidence in relation to the tracking of the phone on the day that the 500lb Real IRA bomb was transported across the border and planted in the Co Tyrone town.

Another mobile phone belonging to one of Mr Murphy’s employees was also allegedly used in the plot.