Menu
07/11/2012
Padraic Wilson Granted Bail
Padraic Wilson has been released on conditional bail following his arrest in relation to the murder of Robert McCartney in 2005.
Mr Wilson denies the charges against him of IRA membership and of addressing a meeting to encourage support for the IRA.
He will now be released from Maghaberry Prison following the granting of bail from the High Court in Belfast.
Padraic Wilson was the leader of IRA prisoners at the Maze in the early nineties.
He was a key figure in gaining republican prisoners’ support for IRA ceasefires and Sinn Féin’s cross-party talks at Stormont, which led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Robert McCartney was a father of two from the Short Strand area of Belfast. He was 33 years old when he was beaten and stabbed following an argument at Magennis’s Bar on May Street close to Belfast City Hall.
The prosecution have said Wilson claimed to be a member of the IRA's army council carrying out an internal investigation into the murder.
It is thought he is not being accused of being involved in the killing itself or in covering up the murder.
The prosecution opposed the granting of bail over fears of witness intimidation and interference.
But Mr Wilson’s defence said: "We are dealing with a number of complainants whose brother was murdered a number of years ago and who mounted a very successful, high-profile campaign into the investigation which took them to the doors of Downing Street and the White House.
"These are people who have remarkable fortitude. The idea that Mr Wilson or someone like him could somehow influence them or make them in some way cowed by some remark is just illogical."
No one was ever found guilty of Mr McCartney's killing, despite reports that up to 40 people were in the bar at the time he was assaulted.
In 2008, 51-year-old Terence Davison was acquitted of the murder and two other men were cleared of charges connected to the killing.
(IT/GK)
Mr Wilson denies the charges against him of IRA membership and of addressing a meeting to encourage support for the IRA.
He will now be released from Maghaberry Prison following the granting of bail from the High Court in Belfast.
Padraic Wilson was the leader of IRA prisoners at the Maze in the early nineties.
He was a key figure in gaining republican prisoners’ support for IRA ceasefires and Sinn Féin’s cross-party talks at Stormont, which led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Robert McCartney was a father of two from the Short Strand area of Belfast. He was 33 years old when he was beaten and stabbed following an argument at Magennis’s Bar on May Street close to Belfast City Hall.
The prosecution have said Wilson claimed to be a member of the IRA's army council carrying out an internal investigation into the murder.
It is thought he is not being accused of being involved in the killing itself or in covering up the murder.
The prosecution opposed the granting of bail over fears of witness intimidation and interference.
But Mr Wilson’s defence said: "We are dealing with a number of complainants whose brother was murdered a number of years ago and who mounted a very successful, high-profile campaign into the investigation which took them to the doors of Downing Street and the White House.
"These are people who have remarkable fortitude. The idea that Mr Wilson or someone like him could somehow influence them or make them in some way cowed by some remark is just illogical."
No one was ever found guilty of Mr McCartney's killing, despite reports that up to 40 people were in the bar at the time he was assaulted.
In 2008, 51-year-old Terence Davison was acquitted of the murder and two other men were cleared of charges connected to the killing.
(IT/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 May 2007
Mother of IRA murder victim dies
The mother of an IRA murder victim whose body was never found, suffered a major stroke last week and died in Craigavon Area Hospital. 82-year-old Vera McVeigh campaigned for the return of her son's body after the IRA secretly buried his body in 1975.
Mother of IRA murder victim dies
The mother of an IRA murder victim whose body was never found, suffered a major stroke last week and died in Craigavon Area Hospital. 82-year-old Vera McVeigh campaigned for the return of her son's body after the IRA secretly buried his body in 1975.
12 January 2016
North Belfast Murder Victim Conor McKee Shot A Number Of Times
31-year-old north Belfast murder victim Conor McKee was shot a number of times, police have revealed. Mr McKee was found dead by his mother at his Glenpark Street home last Thursday night. Two men arrested over the murder have been released on bail.
North Belfast Murder Victim Conor McKee Shot A Number Of Times
31-year-old north Belfast murder victim Conor McKee was shot a number of times, police have revealed. Mr McKee was found dead by his mother at his Glenpark Street home last Thursday night. Two men arrested over the murder have been released on bail.
18 January 2016
Four Injured In North Belfast Attack
Police have held two men on suspicion of attempted murder following an attack in north Belfast. The incident occurred in the Woodvale Drive area on Sunday morning. The suspects, aged 26 and 32, were arrested after being treated in hospital for their injuries.
Four Injured In North Belfast Attack
Police have held two men on suspicion of attempted murder following an attack in north Belfast. The incident occurred in the Woodvale Drive area on Sunday morning. The suspects, aged 26 and 32, were arrested after being treated in hospital for their injuries.
04 November 2014
Arrest Over Attempted Murder
Police have arrested a 25-year-old man in on suspicion of attempted murder following an incident on the Limestone Road in north Belfast on Friday night. A 25-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment for injuries sustained during the attack, in which a number of people are believed to have been involved.
Arrest Over Attempted Murder
Police have arrested a 25-year-old man in on suspicion of attempted murder following an incident on the Limestone Road in north Belfast on Friday night. A 25-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment for injuries sustained during the attack, in which a number of people are believed to have been involved.
11 June 2014
Man Arrested Over East Belfast Stabbing
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the stabbing of a 66-year-old man in east Belfast on Tuesday afternoon. The attack occurred at Wolsey's tackle shop on the Upper Newtownards Road at about 15:30.
Man Arrested Over East Belfast Stabbing
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the stabbing of a 66-year-old man in east Belfast on Tuesday afternoon. The attack occurred at Wolsey's tackle shop on the Upper Newtownards Road at about 15:30.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
