Man is remanded on Omagh charge

A northern Ireland man appeared at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday on charges connected with the Omagh bombing…

A northern Ireland man appeared at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday on charges connected with the Omagh bombing last August in which 29 people died.

Mr Colm Murphy (48), a married publican and building contractor from Co Armagh, with an address at Jordan's Corner, Ravensdale, Co Louth, faced two charges.

One is conspiring in Dundalk with another person not before the court to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property in the State or elsewhere between August 13th and 16th last year.

The other is membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise known as Oglaigh na hEireann, on August 14th last year.

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Det Insp Tadhg Foley of Monaghan Garda Station told the court that Mr Murphy was arrested at 7.05 a.m. last Sunday at Ravensdale under the Offences Against the State Act.

He said his detention was extended for a further 24 hours on Monday by Chief Supt Colm Rooney, and for a further 24 hours on Tuesday after an application to Monaghan District Court.

Det Insp Foley said he released Mr Murphy from the Section 30 arrest at 9.33 p.m. on Tuesday and arrested him under Section 4 of the Criminal Law Act of 1997 for conspiracy to cause an explosion in the State or elsewhere.

The detective inspector said Mr Murphy told him he had "nothing to say" after he was cautioned.

Mr Justice Morris told Mr Murphy's barrister, Mr Cormac Quinn, that he would have to give 48 hours' notice before making a bail application. Mr Murphy was remanded in custody until March 18th.

During the 10-minute hearing, Mr Murphy, who wore a grey suit, yellow shirt and patterned tie, spoke only once. He replied: "Yes" when asked by the court registrar if he was Colm Murphy.

A total of 29 people were killed in the Omagh explosion on August 15th last year. The "Real IRA" later claimed responsibility.

Mr Murphy is the first person to appear before a court in the Republic or Northern Ireland on charges connected with the Omagh bombing.