The bomb, which killed two people and injured many more, brought a dramatic end to the IRA's then 18-month ceasefire.

James McCardle was back in the dock after a jury failed to reach a verdict following a trial in February.

He denies conspiring "with other persons unknown" to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property in the United Kingdom and Ireland between October 30, 1995 and February 10, 1996.

"Ton of explosives"

McCardle also pleads not guilty to murdering Inam Bashir and John Jeffries who were both killed in the explosion at London's South Quay on February 9.

On the first day of the new trial, Woolwich Crown Court heard that an estimated £150m of damage resulted when more than a ton of home-made explosives, packed into a converted lorry, blew up near Carary Wharf.

Trial judge Mr Justice Maurice Kay told the jury that the hearing was a retrial.