A man (35) is to be charged later this month with murdering 29 people who died in the Omagh bomb massacre, the Northern Ireland High Court was told today.
Papers are to be served on Sean Gerard Hoey who is already in custody accused of a series of paramilitary offences.
Although it was reported police are set to bring charges against him over the worst single atrocity in Northern Ireland, his defence said today that had not yet happened.
But a Crown barrister disclosed the wheels were in motion during an adjourned bail application at the High Court in Belfast.
An initial court hearing is to take place on May 26th after papers are served on Mr Hoey a week earlier.
Gordon Kerr QC said: "We can confirm that police received directions on April 19th that murder charges in relation to those killed in the Omagh bombing would be considered by a magistrate at a preliminary inquiry."