A man who police allege went on the run after a bomb attack in Northern Ireland more than 30 years ago has appeared in court charged with causing the explosion.
O’Boyle was charged by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Legacy Investigation Branch with causing the explosion at French’s garage in New Street, Randalstown, at around 10.45pm on November 25 1990, and possessing explosives with intent to endanger life. The detective told the judge the two men were later observed by Ulster Defence Regiment soldiers at the back of a hotel in nearby Toomebridge 15 minutes after the bomb blast.The officer said when police visited O’Boyle’s home the following day he appeared to have fled.“He was not present and is believed to have gone on the run from that address at that time.”
A prosecution lawyer told the court there was “sufficient circumstantial evidence” to support a prima facie case against O’Boyle He said there was an equal chance that “contamination” had resulted in traces of explosives being detected during the forensic examination of the car.