Omagh bomb suspect due in court

A 34-year-old Omagh bomb suspect was today due in court in Northern Ireland on a range of terrorist offences.

The man, who was arrested on Tuesday during a massive security operation near the Irish border, was due to appear before Craigavon magistrates.

He is charged with conspiracy to cause an explosion, possession of explosive substances with intent to endanger life and membership of a proscribed organisation.

The man was arrested in Jonesborough in South Armagh on Tuesday in an operation involving around 200 police and army.

Police were last night careful not to specify whether the charges related to the Omagh bomb or other attacks.

The Omagh atrocity was the largest in the history of Northern Ireland, with 29 people killed, including a mother of unborn twins.

Northern Ireland Office security minister Jane Kennedy was last night briefed by a senior police officer in charge of the overall investigation into the Real IRA attack.