Man cleared of Docklands bombing

A man accused of taking part in the London Docklands bombing in 1996 walked free from the Old Bailey yesterday when a judge ruled…

A man accused of taking part in the London Docklands bombing in 1996 walked free from the Old Bailey yesterday when a judge ruled there was insufficient evidence against him, Rachel Donnelly reports.

Mr Patrick McKinley (34), a garage-owner from Newry, Co Down, had vigorously denied conspiring to cause explosions Mr John Jeffries and Mr Inam Bashir, died in the explosion on February 9th 1996, and bomb damage was estimated at £150 million.

Mr McKinley said he would return to Northern Ireland today. "I have known all along that I am innocent. I want to thank everyone for their support. It has been terrible. I am very pleased it is over," he said.

The case against Mr James McArdle (29), of Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, continued. He denies conspiring to cause an explosion and murdering the two men.