Co Louth man denies Omagh bomb charges

A 49-year-old Co Louth man has pleaded not guilty to two charges connected with the Omagh bombing in August 1998.

Colm Murphy, a builder and publican from Jordan’s Corner, Ravensdale, Dundalk, 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 will argue that Murphy knowingly allowed his mobile phone to be used by persons involved in transporting the bomb used in Omagh.

Gardai are expected to produce evidence relating 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.