Date set for Omagh bomb verdict

The judge in the Omagh bomb trial is due to deliver his verdict on Thursday.

Sean Hoey (aged 38) from Jonesborough, Co Armagh, has denied a total of 56 charges, including the murders of 29 people killed in the August 1998 Omagh bomb atrocity.

His trial at Belfast Crown Court before Mr Justice Weir lasted for 56 days and ended in January.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among the victims, said today: “It’s unfortunate it’s coming so close to Christmas, and I just hope there will be some degree of justice for the families.”

The prosecution case against Hoey hinged on DNA evidence, specifically a type called "low copy DNA", a relatively new and sensitive form of testing.

It was robustly challenged by his defence team, however.

During the hearing, experts differed on how reliable they believed it to be. They also challenged the integrity of some of the police and forensic witnesses, claiming that their evidence had been beefed up.

Hoey did not go into the witness box.