Criticism grows of Omagh policing

Twenty-nine people were killed in the Omagh bomb

NI Secretary Shaun Woodward has failed to give public support to the former RUC chief constable after damning comments over the Omagh bomb inquiry.

On Thursday, Sean Hoey was cleared of 58 charges, including the murders of 29 people in the Real IRA attack in 1998.

The body that holds the police to account wants to meet the current Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde to discuss scathing comments by the trial judge.

Mr Woodward said the judge's comments needed serious investigation.

Sean Hoey, 38, of Molly Road, Jonesborough in south Armagh, was the only person to have been charged with the Omagh murders. It was one of the worst atrocities of Northern Ireland's Troubles.

As he was giving his verdict, Mr Justice Weir said two officers working on the Omagh case were guilty of a "deliberate and calculated deception".

Sir Ronnie was head of the RUC at the time of the Omagh bombing.

Afterwards, Victor Barker, who lost his 12-year-old son, James, in the bombing, said Sir Ronnie could not be allowed to continue as head of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

Sir Ronnie heads up the Inspectorate of Constabulary.

The body reports on and encourages efficiency and effectiveness of policing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

But when asked by the BBC if Sir Ronnie still had the confidence of the government, the Northern Ireland Secretary would not be drawn.

"The lessons to be learned from this judgement are far and wide. It is important that we look at this very, very carefully," Mr Woodward told BBC Radio Ulster.

"It wouldn't do any kind of justice to the 29 people who were murdered in the bomb and the two unborn children for me to give you a phlegmatic response."

Policing Board Chairman Sir Desmond Rea said they wanted to discuss the case.

"Copies of the judgement and verdict were being sent to all board members," he said.

He said having carefully studied the judgement, the board will discuss Mr Justice Weir's findings.

Copies of the judgement are being sent to all NI Policing Board

Human Rights Commissions on both sides of the border have called for the British and Irish governments to set up an independent judicial inquiry into the bombing.

The Chief Commissioner in Northern Ireland, Monica McWilliams, said it was an "unprecedented call".

"Both commissions are mandated to meet as a consequence of the Good Friday Agreement on various issues that affect both the Republic and Northern Ireland," she said.

At the heart of the case were the bomb timers used in the attacks. Forensic scientists had examined them for both fibres and Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA.

LCN is a relatively recent development of DNA science which allows analysis of tiny samples of skin cells, sweat and other bodily fluids.

The prosecution claimed that the forensic examination had shown links to the south Armagh electrician.

Mr Hoey's solicitor said on Thursday: "Today's judgement - a reasoned, lengthy and well considered judgement - completely vindicated this position that he (Mr Hoey) maintained. Sean Hoey is an innocent man."