Omagh evidence to be re-examined

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The Northern Ireland Policing Board has decided to set up an independent external overview of past investigations into the 1998 atrocity, in which 29 people were killed.

The move comes as it was revealed that two police officers accused of misleading the court during the trial of Sean Hoey, who was last month acquitted of the bombing, could now face criminal charges themselves.

The Police Ombudsman's Office has confirmed it has passed files on the two scene-of-crime officers to the Public Prosecution Service.

Policing Board member Jeffrey Donaldson said the independent overview would look afresh at the Omagh case.

"The objective is to re-focus on the evidence and bring the focus back again on the need to secure a prosecution."

The board voted unanimously to appoint the overview team after a five-hour meeting in Belfast. Chief Constable Hugh Orde also appeared before board members to face tough questions about the bungled police investigation into the bombing.

In his damning judgment after dismissing 58 charges against 38-year-old Jonesborough electrician Sean Hoey, judge Mr Justice Weir highlighted serious errors by both the police and forensic services.

Policing Board chair Sir Des Rea said the independent panel would also examine whether these failings had been addressed within the current PSNI.

At the meeting, Sir Hugh defended the decision to take the case to trial and said the officers who been tasked to reinvestigate the Omagh case had done their best with evidence that had already been contaminated.