Forensic evidence links a south Armagh electrician to the Omagh bomb massacre, it was alleged in court yesterday.
A prosecution lawyer said Seán Hoey's DNA was found on three bombs similar to the device which killed 29 people and unborn twins in the 1998 Real IRA bombing.
Mr Hoey (36), from Molly Road, Jonesborough, was impassive as the names of the victims were read out during a preliminary hearing at Belfast Magistrates Court.
He has denied 29 murder charges as well as other bomb offences and membership of the Real IRA.
Before the hearing began defence lawyers objected to forensic evidence being admitted because it lacked probative value. However, magistrate Desmond Perry said he would admit the evidence after senior prosecutor Gordon Kerr QC said Mr Hoey's DNA was on three bombs.
Mr Hoey waved to a group of relatives sitting in court. Also there was Michael Gallagher, whose son, Aidan, was among the 29 Omagh victims.
Dennis McAuley, a senior forensic scientist, said that in his opinion the Omagh bomb - and 11 others - had all been constructed by the same person.
He said he based his opinion on the similarity of the timer units, soldering techniques and the uniformity of wiring to the bomb terminals.
The preliminary hearing is expected to last three days. When it finishes Mr Perry has to decide if the evidence is sufficient to send Mr Hoey for trial at the Crown Court before a judge sitting without a jury.