DNA testing suspended after Omagh verdict

Updated 11.34 Sat Dec 22 2007
Keywords: Real IRA, Sean Hoey, bombing, Omagh

Police have suspended the testing of low copy DNA following the acquittal of Omagh bomb suspect Sean Hoey.

The Association of Chief Police (Acpo) officers said that forces were already operating an "interim suspension" of the cutting-edge technique.

The move comes as an urgent review gets underway into forthcoming court cases involving the testing technique following the Omagh bomb trial acquittal of suspect Sean Hoey

The move comes as an urgent review gets under way into forthcoming court cases involving the testing technique following the Omagh bomb trial acquittal.

The Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales said it was reviewing a number of cases where the Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA testing was involved.

A similar review was being made in Northern Ireland at the request of Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde.

The relatively new testing system - which enables the analysis of a small number of cells - was used on the timers for bombs used in Real IRA attacks and allegedly linked them to Omagh accused Sean Hoey.

However, the judge in the Hoey case decided it was not as yet at a sufficiently scientific level to be considered evidence. Sir Hugh said: "I have asked for an urgent review of all cases that rely in any way, shape or form on LCN DNA."

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