Man arrested over Omagh bombing

A man was arrested yesterday by police investigating the 1998 Omagh bomb attack in which 29 people died.

Seamus Daly, 32, from Co Monaghan, is due to appear at Dublin's Special Criminal Court today. A Garda spokesman said he was arrested in connection with "investigations into the bombing or matters arising from it".

Nine children, an 18-month-old infant and a pregnant woman were among the 29 people killed when the car bomb exploded on 15 August 1998. About 220 people were injured by the blast, which has been blamed on the Real IRA, a dissident republican group.

The blast, in the packed town centre, brought condemnation from all of the province's political leaders, and was regarded as the worst act of violence since the Troubles began 30 years earlier. It was condemned as "an appalling act of savagery and evil" by Tony Blair. Sinn Fein, the political wing of the IRA, Sinn Fein, issued an unprecedented attack on the bombers.

Mr Daly was detained at Carrickmacross Garda Station in Monaghan after an arrest warrant was issued by the Special Criminal Court.

The only person jailed in connection with the bombing so far is Colm Murphy, who is serving a 14-year sentence for conspiracy to cause it.