Evidence in bomb trial admissible

The Special Criminal Court yesterday ruled admissible statements and other evidence obtained in the case of Mr Colm Murphy (49…

The Special Criminal Court yesterday ruled admissible statements and other evidence obtained in the case of Mr Colm Murphy (49), of Jordan's Corner, Ravensdale, Co Louth, the only man charged in connection with the Omagh bomb.

However, in an unusual departure, the court directed that details contained in its ruling on the "trial within a trial" cannot be reported until the court provides the media with an edited version on Tuesday.

Mr Justice Robert Barr said he was making the order in the interests of "justice to the accused". Mr Peter Charleton SC argued the media had a right to report. Mr Justice Barr replied the outcome of the trial "may not necessarily accord with information that has emerged in evidence in the voir dire" and the accused's right to a fair trial outweighed other rights.