'Lying' officers face new inquiry

Twenty-nine people were killed in the Omagh bomb

The Police Ombudsman has extended the inquiry into two officers who admitted lying during the Omagh bomb trial.

The ombudsman will examine other serious concerns raised by Mr Justice Weir last month. It is understood that includes the conduct of other officers.

The judge said the officers had attempted to mislead the court in a "deliberate and calculated deception".

Police said they had reviewed the positions of Det Chief Inspector Philip Marshall and Constable Fiona Cooper.

The police said that one of the officers has been moved to perform other duties in line with a recommendation from the ombudsman.

However, the ombudsman has yet to complete its report.

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

The Policing Board has pledged an independent review of all investigations into the bombing.

Mistakes

It came after Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde confirmed the two officers under investigation following the trial were still on duty with the police.

Sir Hugh said he would act on any recommendations from an investigation by the Police Ombudsman.

He also defended the performance of police adding that detectives were hindered by mistakes during the initial investigation after the bombing.

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