Lawyers representing alleged Omagh bomber Seán Gerard Hoey will question forensic experts when the case opens next month, Belfast Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.
The huge scale of the case, which is due to begin in preliminary session on Monday, June 20th, was revealed when presiding magistrate Desmond Perry said he was potentially faced with "12 boxes of papers" to read relating to the 61 charges against Mr Hoey.
Mr Hoey, a 35-year-old electrician from Molly Road, Jonesborough in south Armagh, appeared by video link at the court yesterday from Maghaberry Prison, where he has been on remand since September 2003.
He faces a total of 61 charges, including charges of murdering each of the 29 victims of the "Real IRA" Omagh bombing of August 15th, 1998.
He also faces several other serious charges, including "Real IRA" membership and "Real IRA" bombing offences.
Mr Hoey made no comment yesterday other than to confirm his name.
He was remanded in Maghaberry to appear again before the court by video link on Friday, June 17th, and to appear personally in the court for a preliminary hearing of the case on the following Monday.
