Adelaide man charged over parcel bomb attack ‘is refusing to eat’

An Adelaide man charged over parcel bomb attack is reportedly refusing to eat out of protest.

Domenic Perre, 61, has declined to eat the food provided by the Remand Centre, according to 9NEWS.

It’s believed Perre only wants to eat and drink products such as chips, chocolate bars and soft drinks from the canteen.

Domenic Perre, 61, has declined to eat the food provided by the Remand Centre (pictured) 

Correctional officers are monitoring Perre’s conditions closely, as there are fears that his health is deteriorating.

Perre, faced court over the 1994 bombing of the National Crime Authority building following a cold-case review South Australian police have called their ‘largest and most comprehensive’.

He appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court in March charged with murder and attempted murder over the bombing, which killed Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and injured lawyer Peter Wallis. 

Perre appeared before a courtroom more than half full of police officers and detectives, and made no application for bail – though his lawyer indicated he may apply in future.

He was remanded to face court again in July.  

Det Sgt Bowen, a member of the West Australian Police, was killed and Mr Wallis injured when a parcel bomb was delivered to the NCA building in Adelaide’s CBD.

Perre’s arrest follows a joint investigation by a number of state and federal authorities including Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, along with the Director of Public Prosecutions, who conducted a review of the evidence.

Speaking on behalf of the Bowen family and Mr Wallis in March, Det Sgt Bowen’s brother-in-law David Gorton thanked those involved in the investigation.

‘We have never lost sight of justice, nor have we ever lost faith in the South Australian police,’ he told reporters.

Domenic Perre (centre) is escorted from the Adelaide Magistrates Court in Adelaide, Thursday, March 1, 2018

In March 1994, a bomb exploded at Adelaide’s National Crime Authority office, killing Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen

Supplied file image obtained Tuesday, Oct 18, 2016 of the scene of the National Crime Authority bombing in Adelaide in 1994 

The bombing has been one of the state’s highest-profile cases, with a reward of $1 million issued in 2008 for information leading to the conviction of the person or people responsible.

Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval said the charge marked a major milestone for police.

‘This is the largest and most comprehensive cold case review ever undertaken by SA Police,’ he said.

‘As best we can, we’ve compiled a brief of evidence that we believe will support the charges, but again we put ourselves before the hands of the court.’

WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said: ‘No one can begin to understand how this day feels for Geoff Bowen’s widow Jane, her two sons and the Bowen family.’

A file image of the scene of the National Crime Authority bombing in Adelaide in 1994

Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen (pictured with his wife Jane) was killed in the 1994 blast 

Det Sgt Bowen’s sons are also serving WA police officers.

‘Geoff’s memory will remain with us and lives on. Past and present officers are still affected by it,’ Mr Dawson said.

The WA Police Union welcomed the charges.

‘At the time, the death of Geoffrey Bowen rocked the WA police family and, 24 years later, it is a major achievement to have someone charged,’ president George Tilbury said.

Perre was arrested soon after the bombing, but charges were dropped six months later because of a lack of evidence

In 2016, SA police revealed advancements in technology had assisted the renewed investigation into the bombing.

They found the make-up of the bomb and technological improvements meant it was possible to locate DNA on remnants of the device, which could be later checked against the profiles of possible suspects.

Sixty-five items were sent to the world-leading Netherlands Forensic Institute for further examination, while partial DNA profiles and fingerprints were recovered from other crucial exhibits.