The Special Criminal Court has fixed a new date for the trial of a Northern Ireland man accused of plotting the Omagh bombing in which 29 people died in 1998.
The trial of Mr Colm Murphy was due to start next week but has been adjourned until October 9th next because the court is currently hearing the trial of Mr John Gilligan, accused of murdering journalist Veronica Guerin in 1996.
Mr Colm Murphy (48), a father of four, is a building contractor and publican and a native of Co Armagh. His address was given as Jordan's Corner, Ravensdale, Co Louth.
He is charged with conspiring in Dundalk Co Louth with another person not before the court to cause an explosion in the State or elsewhere between August 13th and 16th, 1998. He is also charged with membership of an illegal organisation calling itself Óglaigh na hÉireann on August 14th, 1998.
Prosecuting counsel Mr Peter Charleton SC told the court today that the charges referred to two explosions, one in Omagh and another in Banbridge, Co Down.
He said the case against the accused involved him implicating himself. Mr Charleton said there was technical evidence in relation to phones and the tracking of phones and that he expected the trial to last three to four weeks.
The court also heard that papers have been served on the BBC and the Daily Mail newspaper alleging contempt of court and prejudice to Mr Murphy's right to a fair trial because of material in a BBC Panorama programme which was also reprinted the Daily Mail.
The court will hear legal submissions on the contempt issue on January 29th. Mr Murphy was remanded on continuing bail of £50,000 pounds until October 9th.