Man appears in NI court on bomb charges

An Armagh man has appeared in court in the North today charged with conspiracy to cause a number of explosions between 1997 and…

An Armagh man has appeared in court in the North today charged with conspiracy to cause a number of explosions between 1997 and 1998.

Mr Sean Gerard Hoey (34) of Molly Road, Jonesborough in South Armagh was arrested by police investigating the Omagh bombing

Mr Hoey, an electrician by trade, has also been charged with possession of a vehicle and a trailer containing explosives.

Mr Hoey denies all the allegations.

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As he appeared in the dock at Craigavon Magistrates Court in Co Armagh today a senior detective insisted he could connect him with the offences.

The accused, who is awaiting trial on 15 other charges - one of which is believed to relate to the Omagh bombing - said nothing during his 10 minute appearance in the dock.

The court heard how Mr Hoey allegedly conspired to cause explosions in Armagh and Blackwatertown between March 1997 and July 1998.

He was also accused of being involved in the bomb attack at Newry Street in Banbridge, Co Down which wounded dozens of people.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector David McWilliams said Mr Hoey had replied "not guilty" when all five charges were put to him.

A defence lawyer challenged the detective to reveal when his client, who has been in custody for six months, can expect prosecution papers to be completed.

Mr McWilliams replied: "It's a fairly complicated case involving a lot of documents but we're hoping by the end of May we will have a file with the department."

The officer agreed with the solicitor that Mr Hoey had co-operated fully with police and that he emphatically denied all allegations against him.

Mr Hoey was remanded until April 1st when he will appear again via videolink at Craigavon Magistrates.