Taoiseach welcomes Omagh verdict

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has welcomed today’s Omagh verdict and said he hopes all those responsible for the Omagh atrocity will be brought to justice.

"The judicial system is there to make its decisions and I think the gardai did their work," he said.

Mr Murphy’s wife Anne said her husband’s conviction is a miscarriage of justice.

"This is 19th Century law in 2001. There is no justice in the Special Criminal Court. The Special Branch have perjured themselves on numerous occasions, not only in my husband’s trial, but in other trials also. Yet, they have never been charged with perjury…it was a foregone conclusion.

"The moment that my husband was charged at the Special Criminal Court there was going to be a guilty verdict."

The evidence of two members of the gardai was discredited during the trial after the court heard scientific evidence that they had forged interview notes and then lied under oath when questioned about them.

Assistant Garda Commissioner Kevin Carthy said the matter will be dealt with.

He said Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne "will take appropriate action to address the criticisms of the court in that area."