Evidence in the case against the only man charged in connection with the Omagh bombing has been retracted, the Special Criminal Court heard today.
The case against Mr Colm Murphy hinges on the evidence of Mr Terence Morgan who had previously said in a statement that he lent his mobile phone to Mr Murphy on August 14th, 1998 - the day before the bombing took place. The prosecution claims Mr Morgan's phone was used by those who carried out the bombing.
But the court heard today Mr Morgan wished to retract his statement which he claims was made to the RUC under duress.
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Mr Colm Murphy arriving at the Special
Criminal Court in Dublin last October |
When asked by Mr Peter Charleton SC why he was making the retraction, Mr Morgan said: "I didn't tell the truth".
"I can't live with myself with this act that I have done. I wanted it off my conscience. I wanted to put it straight", Mr Morgan said.
Mr Morgan, who is a second cousin of Mr Murphy, said his phone went missing from his van in the grounds of Dublin City University, when he was working for the accused as a builder. However, he insisted he did not lend it to Mr Murphy.
When asked to explain why the Mr Murphy’s phone was constantly calling his phone on the day of the bombing, Mr Morgan said he didn’t know.
He said: "I don’t know who had my phone." Earlier, a letter from Mr Morgan's solicitors was read out to the court. In it Mr Morgan also claims he did not write down the phone's pin number for Mr Murphy. He also said he did not receive the phone back from a Mr Paul Jennings on the Monday after the bombing, as he previously stated.
Mr Morgan's letter said the statement he gave to the RUC was given under pressure.
He also said that the evidence he gave to the court in November of last year was false.
He said he was on medication at the time for his nerves as a result of the stress of the case.
Asked why he had voluntarily come to Dublin to give evidence, Mr Morgan said he was pressurised by the Garda through his in-laws.
Mr Morgan alleged the gardaí threatened to "take him by force".
He said: "they told me they were in contact with police and soldiers across the Border would take me down in a helicopter."
Mr Morgan was met by a member of the Garda from Ashbourne last November before being driven to the court.
Mr Murphy (49) from Ravensdale, Dundalk, Co Louth, denies a charge of conspiracy to cause an explosion.
Mr Michael O’Higgins SC, for the defence, resumed his closing submission this afternoon. He is due to finish on Monday after which the three presiding judges are expected to adjourn before making their judgement.
