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17/06/2010
Appeal For Help On 'IRA Mole' Shooting
The attempted murder of a spy inside the IRA, who later committed his experiences into a best selling novel (later made as a big-screen movie - pictured here) is back in focus this week.
The police have renewed their appeal for information 11 years after the attempted murder of a former IRA informer on Tyneside.
Martin McGartland was shot as he sat in his car in Duchess Street, Whitley Bay, on 17 June 1999.
In his book, 50 Dead Men Walking, Mr McGartland told how he infiltrated the IRA at the age of 17 and had operated under the code-name 'Agent Carol' between 1988 and 1991.
Northumbria Police said its main line of inquiry continued to be that he may have been shot by someone with Irish Republican sympathies and although five people have been arrested - no one has ever been charged.
Mr McGartland survived despite being shot several times at close range and was given a new identity.
Det Ch Supt Chris Thomson said: "Although this was an unsuccessful attack, it was a cold-blooded, calculated assassination attempt."
He added: "Mr McGartland's history as an agent for the then Royal Ulster Constabulary and his supplying of information about the Provisional IRA is a matter of public knowledge, documented in his own books on the subject.
"Our main line of inquiry, therefore, continues to be that Mr McGartland may have been shot by a person or people with Irish Republican sympathies for reasons closely linked to his former life in Northern Ireland."
Northumbria Police said it was continuing to use DNA recovered from the scene to eliminate people from the investigation.
Other lines of inquiry concern a van abandoned at the scene which had been bought only two days before the attack and a message left on a telephone answering machine a few days earlier asking about a van for sale.
Police said two semi-automatic pistols and some ammunition were found in the Gateshead area within months of the attack and one was forensically linked to the shooting.
See: Apology Follows IRA Movie Premier 'Gaff'
(BMcC/GK)
The police have renewed their appeal for information 11 years after the attempted murder of a former IRA informer on Tyneside.
Martin McGartland was shot as he sat in his car in Duchess Street, Whitley Bay, on 17 June 1999.
In his book, 50 Dead Men Walking, Mr McGartland told how he infiltrated the IRA at the age of 17 and had operated under the code-name 'Agent Carol' between 1988 and 1991.
Northumbria Police said its main line of inquiry continued to be that he may have been shot by someone with Irish Republican sympathies and although five people have been arrested - no one has ever been charged.
Mr McGartland survived despite being shot several times at close range and was given a new identity.
Det Ch Supt Chris Thomson said: "Although this was an unsuccessful attack, it was a cold-blooded, calculated assassination attempt."
He added: "Mr McGartland's history as an agent for the then Royal Ulster Constabulary and his supplying of information about the Provisional IRA is a matter of public knowledge, documented in his own books on the subject.
"Our main line of inquiry, therefore, continues to be that Mr McGartland may have been shot by a person or people with Irish Republican sympathies for reasons closely linked to his former life in Northern Ireland."
Northumbria Police said it was continuing to use DNA recovered from the scene to eliminate people from the investigation.
Other lines of inquiry concern a van abandoned at the scene which had been bought only two days before the attack and a message left on a telephone answering machine a few days earlier asking about a van for sale.
Police said two semi-automatic pistols and some ammunition were found in the Gateshead area within months of the attack and one was forensically linked to the shooting.
See: Apology Follows IRA Movie Premier 'Gaff'
(BMcC/GK)
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29 January 2003
Man linked to McGartland shooting is arrested
A man who is suspected of being a member of the IRA assassination team that attempted to murder police informer Martin McGartland has been arrested in the Czech Republic. Michael Dickson, 38, a former British soldier is currently in custody for alleged cigarette smuggling.
Man linked to McGartland shooting is arrested
A man who is suspected of being a member of the IRA assassination team that attempted to murder police informer Martin McGartland has been arrested in the Czech Republic. Michael Dickson, 38, a former British soldier is currently in custody for alleged cigarette smuggling.
25 January 2016
'New IRA' Believed To Be Involved After Weapon Found In Co Tyrone
Police believe the 'new IRA' was involved after a suspected Armalite-type assault rifle was recovered in Strabane, Co Tyrone, on Friday. Superintendent Mark McEwan, the Derry City & Strabane District Commander said he believed the weapon, with ammunition, had been intended to be used to attcked police officers.
'New IRA' Believed To Be Involved After Weapon Found In Co Tyrone
Police believe the 'new IRA' was involved after a suspected Armalite-type assault rifle was recovered in Strabane, Co Tyrone, on Friday. Superintendent Mark McEwan, the Derry City & Strabane District Commander said he believed the weapon, with ammunition, had been intended to be used to attcked police officers.
13 November 2007
McGuinness Appeals For Information On Police Murder Bid
Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness, the Assembly’s Deputy First Minister has called for anybody with information about the shooting of a police officer in Dungannon last night to bring it to the police. "These people are attempting to plunge our society back into conflict," the MP and MLA said.
McGuinness Appeals For Information On Police Murder Bid
Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness, the Assembly’s Deputy First Minister has called for anybody with information about the shooting of a police officer in Dungannon last night to bring it to the police. "These people are attempting to plunge our society back into conflict," the MP and MLA said.
31 March 2011
Man Charged With Belfast Bomb Hoax
A 39-year-old man has appeared in Belfast Magistrates Court (pictured) on Thursday charged with causing a hoax bomb alert in Belfast this week. Gerard Chapman, from Antigua Street, is also charged with claiming to belong to the Continuity IRA. Mr Chapman was remanded in custody and will appear in court again at a later date.
Man Charged With Belfast Bomb Hoax
A 39-year-old man has appeared in Belfast Magistrates Court (pictured) on Thursday charged with causing a hoax bomb alert in Belfast this week. Gerard Chapman, from Antigua Street, is also charged with claiming to belong to the Continuity IRA. Mr Chapman was remanded in custody and will appear in court again at a later date.
08 April 2014
Man Arrested In Connection With Omagh Bombing
A man has been arrested in connection with the 1998 Omagh bombing. Police arrested the man in Newry area, and say he is being held and questioned in Antrim. Twenty-nine people were killed in the Real IRA attack of 15 August 1998. The bombing has been described as the single worst atrocity in over 30 years of violence.
Man Arrested In Connection With Omagh Bombing
A man has been arrested in connection with the 1998 Omagh bombing. Police arrested the man in Newry area, and say he is being held and questioned in Antrim. Twenty-nine people were killed in the Real IRA attack of 15 August 1998. The bombing has been described as the single worst atrocity in over 30 years of violence.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
