Omagh retrial gets go-ahead

The High Court today cleared the way for the re-trial of a Co Louth man on a conspiracy charge connected with the Real IRA bombing…

The High Court today cleared the way for the re-trial of a Co Louth man on a conspiracy charge connected with the Real IRA bombing of Omagh in which 29 people died.

Colm Murphy (53) had claimed a "systematic delay" had prejudiced his right to a speedy trial.

Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill refused Murphy's application to halt the trial and said that while there had been a delay in the case it had not breached Mr Murphy's rights.

Mr Murphy, a building contractor and publican who is a native of Co Armagh but with an address at Jordan's Corner, Ravensdale, Co Louth, was freed on bail in 2005 after the Court of Criminal Appeal quashed his conviction and 14 year sentence for a conspiracy offence connected with the Real IRA bombing of Omagh in 1998.