A 54-year old Newtownbutler man has been acquitted of two bomb attacks after his case was reviewed in the wake of the Omagh bomb trial.

Prosecutors told Belfast Crown Court this week they would be offering no evidence against John Joseph McCusker, of Galloon Gardens, Newtownbutler.

He had been charged with causing two explosions - one at Roslea PSNI station in October 2003 and another at Lurgan Golf Club in June 2004.

Counsel for the Prosecution reported that the case was reviewed after Sean Hoey's acquittal and that, "the prosecution test is no longer met".

The key element in the case against Mr Hoey, who was acquitted of 58 charges, including the Omagh bombing, was forensic evidence. On that occasion, the trial judge, Mr Justice Weir, was heavily critical of the police performance whilst gathering and storing items that were later subjected to DNA testing.

Mr McCusker's acquittal has been welcomed by Republican Sinn Féin (RSF).

Richard Walsh, RSF National Publicity Officer, said: "Regrettably, John Joe had to endure eight-and-a-half months' incarceration in Maghaberry as a result of these unsubstantiated charges, inevitably causing severe disruption to family life. The McCusker family were left with this hanging over them for nearly three years. We hope that the British authorities will now leave them in peace to rebuild their lives," he continued.

"Republican Sinn Féin believes such malicious prosecutions can only be ended finally when the English government has the honesty and decency to recognise that their continued presence in Ireland is the greatest crime being perpetrated against the Irish people. This must be demonstrated by a declaration of intent to withdraw permanently from Ireland."