Supreme Court reserves judgement on Murphy appeal
The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in an appeal brought on the behalf of 54-year-old building contractor Colm Murphy aimed at stopping his re-trial on a conspiracy charge connected with the Real IRA Omagh bombing in which 29 people died.
Last October at the High Court, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill refused Mr Murphy's application to prevent his re-trial, which is due to be held before the non-jury Special Criminal Court.
Mr Murphy claims that his prosecution should not be allowed go ahead on grounds including that the delay in bringing proceedings has prejudiced his right to a fair and speedy trial.
Mr Murphy, a building contractor and publican who is a native of Co Armagh but with an address at Jordan's Corner, Ravensdale, Co Louth, appealed that decision to the Supreme Court. The DPP is opposing Mr Murphy's application.
Today the five-judge Supreme Court, consisting of the Chief Justice Mr John Murray, Mr Justice Hugh Geoghegan, Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman, Mr Justice Nial Fennelly and Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan reserved its decision on the appeal. It will give its judgment at a later date.
