A man accused of conspiring to bomb Omagh admitted that the bombing was a "disaster" and later learned that his mobile phone was used in connection with the explosion, it was claimed in the Special Criminal Court yesterday.
Mr Colm Murphy allegedly told garda∅ that when he heard about Omagh he "had a good idea" that it was his phone which was used in the bombing, Det Garda Liam Donnelly told the court. During questioning in February 1999 the accused said he lent a named republican two phones - one of which was registered to Mr Murphy, the other belonging to another man.
Yesterday was the 10th day of the trial of Mr Murphy (49), a father of four, building contractor and publican, who is a native of Co Armagh with an address at Ravensdale, Co Louth.
He pleads not guilty to conspiring in Dundalk with another person not before the court to cause an explosion in the State or elsewhere between August 13th and 16th, 1998.
Det Garda Donnelly said the accused told garda∅ he was in his pub - the Emerald Bar - all day on August 15th, the day of the Omagh bomb.
The witness said Mr Murphy had admitted being a member of the Continuity Army Council but denied having anything to do with Omagh. "I'd nothing to do with it, I've never been to Omagh in my life," he said.
Asked if he was afraid of people in the Real IRA, he made no reply.
Mr Michael O'Higgins SC, defending, put it to Det Garda Donnelly that the garda∅ had "cobbled together" or rewritten interview notes. He suggested that his client had made no incriminating statements. That was not correct, the witness replied.
The trial continues today.