A senior policeman yesterday apologised to the court hearing the case of alleged Omagh bomber Seán Hoey after he ordered exhibits in a mortar attack to be destroyed.
The Belfast Crown Court trial heard that in May 1998 the Continuity IRA launched a mortar attack on Grosvenor Road RUC station from nearby Devonish Close, but in August 2000 then detective inspector Esmond Adair ordered the destruction of items seized at the scene.
He told prosecuting counsel that at the time there had been difficulties with storing evidence at the station and also because "there was no such thing as low-copynumber DNA extraction". He gave the order when the forensic science agency told him there were no "identifiable suspects" from their examination.
Under cross-examination from defence lawyer Ciarán Vaughan, the detective superintendant apologised for the destruction of the mortar tube, timer power unit and other items but told the lawyer that "if I had thought that a suspect could have been identified there is no way I would've ordered the destruction".
The officer said that given advances in science since 1998, "I don't think I would order any exhibits to be destroyed now".
It is understood the case against Mr Hoey (36) Molly Road, Jonesborough, south Armagh, relies mainly on DNA and fibre evidence allegedly linking him with a number of attacks. Although he does not face any charges in relation to the mortar attack on Grosvenor Road RUC station, he is charged with and denies a total of 58 charges, relating not only to the Omagh bomb, but to six other murder conspiracies, five bombings, four bomb conspiracies, and the possession of explosives including timer power units, mortar bombs and bombs.