Omagh judge wants statement probe

Twenty-nine people died in the Omagh bombing

The judge in the Omagh bomb trial has said an immediate investigation should be carried out into why some statements were altered and the originals lost.

Mr Justice Weir said there were "no grounds for delay".

The call came on day 35 at the trial of Sean Hoey - who is accused of the 29 murders in Omagh and more Real IRA attacks, including one in 2001.

Mr Hoey, 37, from Jonesborough, County Armagh, denies all 58 terrorism charges.

His trial has already heard allegations that statements - one from a police officer and the other a scenes of crime specialist - had been "beefed up" to give the impression that forensic precautions had been taken at an explosives find.

Their original statements have now been lost.

Giving evidence to the court the head of the Omagh enquiry, Detective Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter, said that since the evidence had emerged, he had discussions with the Police Ombudsman's Office, but it was felt inappropriate to investigate further while the trial was ongoing.

However, Mr Justice Weir said there was no reason for delay and any investigation he said would not have an impact on the trial and it should be "pressed on with with all dispatch".

He warned Mr Baxter that the impression should not be given to the Police Ombudsman that the continuing trial was a reason for delay.

The case continues.