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14/05/2018
Three Men Jailed For Destroying Car Linked To John Boreland Murder
Three men have been jailed in connection with destroying a vehicle linked to the murder of John Boreland in north Belfast two years ago.
Thomas O'Hara, 31, from Brownhill Drive in the Kilburney area of Scotland, Darren McAllister, 35, of Carrs Glen Park in Belfast and 63-year-old Thomas Pearson of Rathglynn in Antrim, had all pleaded guilty at earlier hearings to a single charge each of perverting the course of justice. Mr Pearson was also found guilty of providing a vehicle for use by terrorists in a separate trial.
Mr O'Hara was sentenced to four years and nine months at Belfast Crown Court on Friday, 11 May. In addition, Mr McAllister received a five-year sentence while Mr Pearson was jailed for six years.
John Boreland, 40, was shot dead in the Sunningdale Gardens area as he made his way home from a local pub in August 2016.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Alan Dickson said investigators ascertained that the killer had "emerged from a silver Renault Megane, fired a number of shots at Mr Boreland, fatally injuring him, before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle".
"Detectives were able to establish that this vehicle was owned by Thomas Pearson and that it had been used with his knowledge," he said.
"We were also able to link Darren McAllister and Thomas O'Hara to the destruction of the Megane, which was burned out two days after the murder following a police appeal for information.
"We are pleased that these men will now face the consequences of their actions and we are satisfied that the sentences handed down today adequately reflect the seriousness of their crimes.
"The investigation into the murder of John Boreland remains open and we remain committed to identifying the murderer and all of those connected to this horrific crime and bringing them before the courts.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Boreland family for their dignity, patience and support throughout the investigation to date."
Image: CCTV image of Darren McAllister purchasing a lighter to burn the vehicle.
(LM/MH)
Thomas O'Hara, 31, from Brownhill Drive in the Kilburney area of Scotland, Darren McAllister, 35, of Carrs Glen Park in Belfast and 63-year-old Thomas Pearson of Rathglynn in Antrim, had all pleaded guilty at earlier hearings to a single charge each of perverting the course of justice. Mr Pearson was also found guilty of providing a vehicle for use by terrorists in a separate trial.
Mr O'Hara was sentenced to four years and nine months at Belfast Crown Court on Friday, 11 May. In addition, Mr McAllister received a five-year sentence while Mr Pearson was jailed for six years.
John Boreland, 40, was shot dead in the Sunningdale Gardens area as he made his way home from a local pub in August 2016.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Alan Dickson said investigators ascertained that the killer had "emerged from a silver Renault Megane, fired a number of shots at Mr Boreland, fatally injuring him, before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle".
"Detectives were able to establish that this vehicle was owned by Thomas Pearson and that it had been used with his knowledge," he said.
"We were also able to link Darren McAllister and Thomas O'Hara to the destruction of the Megane, which was burned out two days after the murder following a police appeal for information.
"We are pleased that these men will now face the consequences of their actions and we are satisfied that the sentences handed down today adequately reflect the seriousness of their crimes.
"The investigation into the murder of John Boreland remains open and we remain committed to identifying the murderer and all of those connected to this horrific crime and bringing them before the courts.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Boreland family for their dignity, patience and support throughout the investigation to date."
Image: CCTV image of Darren McAllister purchasing a lighter to burn the vehicle.
(LM/MH)
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19 October 2016
Three Women Questioned Over John Boreland Murder
Three women have been questioned by police in connection with the murder of prominent loyalist John Boreland. Mr Boreland, aged 46, was fatally shot in the Sunningdale Gardens area in north Belfast on Sunday, 07 August. Two women were interviewed in Belfast on Tuesday, 18 October. Another woman was questioned in Carlisle.
Three Women Questioned Over John Boreland Murder
Three women have been questioned by police in connection with the murder of prominent loyalist John Boreland. Mr Boreland, aged 46, was fatally shot in the Sunningdale Gardens area in north Belfast on Sunday, 07 August. Two women were interviewed in Belfast on Tuesday, 18 October. Another woman was questioned in Carlisle.
20 September 2016
John Boreland Murder: Man Released Unconditionally
A 39-year-old man has been released unconditionally over the murder of prominent loyalist John Boreland. The man was arrested on Monday. Mr Boreland, 46, was shot in north Belfast on 07 August. Three men have appeared in court charged with perverting the course of justice. They are to appear in court via video link on 13 October.
John Boreland Murder: Man Released Unconditionally
A 39-year-old man has been released unconditionally over the murder of prominent loyalist John Boreland. The man was arrested on Monday. Mr Boreland, 46, was shot in north Belfast on 07 August. Three men have appeared in court charged with perverting the course of justice. They are to appear in court via video link on 13 October.
15 September 2016
John Boreland Murder: Three Charged With Perverting The Course Of Justice
Three men have been charged with perverting the course of justice in connection with the murder of John Boreland. Mr Boreland was shot a number of times in north Belfast last month. The three suspects appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court today, 15 September, and have been remanded in custody.
John Boreland Murder: Three Charged With Perverting The Course Of Justice
Three men have been charged with perverting the course of justice in connection with the murder of John Boreland. Mr Boreland was shot a number of times in north Belfast last month. The three suspects appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court today, 15 September, and have been remanded in custody.
14 September 2016
John Boreland Murder: Fourth Man Arrested
Another man has been arrested in connection with the murder of prominent loyalist John Boreland. Mr Boreland, 46, was fatally shot in north Belfast last month. A 33-year-old man is being questioned at a police station in Belfast after being arrested in Newtownabbey on Tuesday, 13 September.
John Boreland Murder: Fourth Man Arrested
Another man has been arrested in connection with the murder of prominent loyalist John Boreland. Mr Boreland, 46, was fatally shot in north Belfast last month. A 33-year-old man is being questioned at a police station in Belfast after being arrested in Newtownabbey on Tuesday, 13 September.
13 September 2016
John Boreland Murder: Three Men Arrested
Three men have been arrested in connection with the murder of prominent loyalist John Boreland. Mr Boreland was fatally shot in the Sunningdale Gardens area on Sunday, 07 August. Two men, aged 33 and 61, were arrested in north Belfast and the other man, aged 29, was arrested in Scotland. All three have been detained at Musgrave Police Station.
John Boreland Murder: Three Men Arrested
Three men have been arrested in connection with the murder of prominent loyalist John Boreland. Mr Boreland was fatally shot in the Sunningdale Gardens area on Sunday, 07 August. Two men, aged 33 and 61, were arrested in north Belfast and the other man, aged 29, was arrested in Scotland. All three have been detained at Musgrave Police Station.
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