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Families Blast N. Ireland Bomb Acquittal

Demand inquiry after lone suspect cleared on 56 counts

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 21, 2007 5:30 AM CST
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(Newser) – Furious families of victims have slammed provincial police and called for an inquiry a day after the acquittal of a man charged with the worst terror attack in Northern Ireland history. Sean Hoey was cleared of 56 counts of murder and terrorist charges stemming from the 1998 Omagh bombing. The trial judge blasted the police for "reprehensible" conduct and a "slapdash approach" that produced unreliable DNA evidence, writes the Telegraph.

 A 500-pound car bomb detonated on a busy Omagh street in the carnage, killing 29 and injuring 220. So far only one man, Hoey's uncle, has been convicted for the attack, and his conviction was overturned on appeal. "This case has been a disgrace by any standards," said a father who lost his son in the attack.

Michael Gallagher, right, attends Lagonside Courts, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007 with other family members who lost loved ones in the 1998 Omagh bomb.
Michael Gallagher, right, attends Lagonside Courts, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007 with other family members who lost loved ones in the 1998 Omagh bomb.   (Associated Press)
Lawrence Rush lays a single rose for his wife Elizabeth who was killed in the Omagh bomb during the service at the 9th anniversary of the bombing in Omagh, Northern Ireland, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007. The service was held for the 29 people and two unborn children who died in...
Lawrence Rush lays a single rose for his wife Elizabeth who was killed in the Omagh bomb during the service at the 9th anniversary of the bombing in Omagh, Northern Ireland, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007. The...   (Associated Press)
Victor Barker, centre, who lost his son James in the 1998 Omagh bomb is comforted by wife Donna Maria and son Oliver after leaving Lagonside Courts, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007. The family were devastated with the verdict of the Omagh trial into the bombing. A judge on...
Victor Barker, centre, who lost his son James in the 1998 Omagh bomb is comforted by wife Donna Maria and son Oliver after leaving Lagonside Courts, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007....   (Associated Press)
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Roundup of British papers' reactions to the acquittal
BBC

Emergency meeting of police board will take place
RTE (Ireland)

 
terrorism • Northern Ireland • United Kingdom • terrorist

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