MEP believes bomb accused innocent

Fine Gael MEP , Ms Mary Bannotti, has said she believes a young woman who appeared in a British court in connection with an alleged terrorist bombing plot is innocent.

Ms Bannotti has written a character reference for Ms Elaine Moore, who was charged earlier this month at Belmarsh Magistrate's Court with conspiracy to cause explosions and possession of explosives.

Also charged with Ms Moore on both counts were Mr Darren Mulholland (19), of Meadow Grove, Dundalk, Co Louth, and Mr Liam Patrick Grogan (21), of Lakeland, Naas, Co Kildare. Mr Anthony Hyland (25), whose address was not given, was charged with conspiracy to cause explosions.

Ms Moore was a member of Fine Gael, and her mother, Kathy, stood for the party in the June 1991 local elections. She polled 354 votes in the Artane district of the Dublin County Borough.

Ms Elaine Moore, a former model from Coolock, is said to have accommodated one of her co-defendants in her London apartment. A rucksack said to have contained Semtex was reportedly found in the apartment.

Ms Moore and nine others were arrested by British antiterrorist police and gardai in co-ordinated swoops in London, Dublin, Dundalk and Wexford on July 10th. Metropolitan police officers in London claimed at the time they had foiled an attempt by dissidents associated with the Sinn Fein breakaway group, the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, to bomb London "within minutes".

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed last night Ms Moore and her co-defendants had been visited in prison by a member of the Irish Embassy staff but refused to comment on an individual case.

A representative said it was standard procedure for Irish people held in foreign prisons to receive a visit if they wished.