A man accused of conspiring to bomb Omagh admitted lending his mobile phone to known republicans, knowing it would be used for moving bombs, the Special Criminal Court heard yesterday.
Det Garda Bernie Hanley claimed that Mr Colm Murphy told him he knew the man to whom he lent his phone belonged to the "Real IRA". Det Garda Hanley told Mr Peter Charleton SC, prosecuting, that Mr Murphy had "no worries" about his phone being used to move explosives to the North.
Det Garda Hanley was giving evidence on the 12th day of the trial of Mr Murphy (49), a father of four, publican and former builder. From Armagh, with an address at Ravensdale, Co Louth, he denies conspiring to cause an explosion in the State or elsewhere between August 13th and 16th, 1998.
Det Garda Hanley said that when questioned in February 1999, Mr Murphy was asked if he knew his phone was going to be used in a criminal act. "Yes, I knew it would be used for moving bombs. I knew these fellas were involved in moving bombs to Northern Ireland to bomb targets", he allegedly replied.
In another interview that month, Det Garda Hanley asked if he had been told by the "Real IRA" man that his phone was "used in planting the bomb" in Omagh. "No, he didn't have to say it, he wouldn't talk about it, it was a disaster. Nobody set out to kill anybody in Omagh, it was just a complete mess."
Det Garda Hanley said Mr Murphy admitted that his phone was also in Banbridge on August 1st, 1998, the day of the Banbridge bombing.
In another interview, Det Garda Hanley asked Mr Murphy if he was afraid of retaliation by the "Real IRA" for co-operating with the Garda.
"Look, what can I say, I could finish out at the Border with a hole in my head. This is a dangerous scene. I am happy, even if I get 20 years, that my conscience is clear. I wasn't in Omagh."
Mr Michael O'Higgins SC, defending, said his client had never made any admissions and had discussed only "general matters". Was it not true, he asked Det Garda Hanley, "that you were the unfortunate subject of criticism by the courts in your handling of these matters?"
"By one court", he replied.
Mr O'Higgins referred to the DPP v Paul Ward and the DDP v John Gilligan cases, in which the Special Criminal Court had made "unfavourable comment" against the witness. Det Garda Hanley rejected counsel's suggestion that he was regarded by the courts as "damaged material".
The trial continues today.