Menu
02/05/2006
Stab victim to testify via video-link from secret location
A night club doorman has been granted permission to testify from a secret location in England, during the trial of a Belfast loyalist accused of trying to murder him.
Trevor Gowdy, who is living under a witness protection scheme, believes that he will be killed if he if he returns to Northern Ireland for the trial of Mark Haddock.
Mark Haddock, 37, from Mount Vernon Drive in north Belfast is due to appear in court facing a number of charges, including arson, assault and unlawful imprisonment and attempted murder, in connection with an alleged hatchet and knife attack.
The trial was previously adjourned for three months after Mr Gowdy, originally from Ballyclare, County Antrim, broke down in court while giving evidence last November.
Following the results of a psychiatric report, it was judged that he would be fit to continue giving evidence from a safe environment via video-link.
Mr Gowdy was found unconscious in the Monkstown estate, Newtownabbey, in December 2002.
At the time, it was reported that the victim had been stabbed and beaten with a hatchet and baton and his car had been set alight.
The lawyer representing Mr Gowdy, said that his argument in favour of allowing his client to testify from an English Court, was based purely on a medical assessment and that he feared that that the quality of Mr Gowdy`s evidence was likely to be diminished due to the fear or distress he would experience through being brought back for the trial.
Haddocks defence lawyer claimed that this was an unprecedented move given that the victim had already been in the witness box.
Mr Gowdy`s evidence will be heard tomorrow and is expected to last for at least two days.
(EF/SP)
Trevor Gowdy, who is living under a witness protection scheme, believes that he will be killed if he if he returns to Northern Ireland for the trial of Mark Haddock.
Mark Haddock, 37, from Mount Vernon Drive in north Belfast is due to appear in court facing a number of charges, including arson, assault and unlawful imprisonment and attempted murder, in connection with an alleged hatchet and knife attack.
The trial was previously adjourned for three months after Mr Gowdy, originally from Ballyclare, County Antrim, broke down in court while giving evidence last November.
Following the results of a psychiatric report, it was judged that he would be fit to continue giving evidence from a safe environment via video-link.
Mr Gowdy was found unconscious in the Monkstown estate, Newtownabbey, in December 2002.
At the time, it was reported that the victim had been stabbed and beaten with a hatchet and baton and his car had been set alight.
The lawyer representing Mr Gowdy, said that his argument in favour of allowing his client to testify from an English Court, was based purely on a medical assessment and that he feared that that the quality of Mr Gowdy`s evidence was likely to be diminished due to the fear or distress he would experience through being brought back for the trial.
Haddocks defence lawyer claimed that this was an unprecedented move given that the victim had already been in the witness box.
Mr Gowdy`s evidence will be heard tomorrow and is expected to last for at least two days.
(EF/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 January 2006
Attempted murder case postponed until May
The trial of Belfast man Mark Haddock, who is accused of attacking and leaving for dead a former army boxing champ, has been adjourned until May 2. The Belfast Crown Court trial was adjourned today until the victim, Trevor Gowdy, is pronounced fit enough by doctors to give evidence.
Attempted murder case postponed until May
The trial of Belfast man Mark Haddock, who is accused of attacking and leaving for dead a former army boxing champ, has been adjourned until May 2. The Belfast Crown Court trial was adjourned today until the victim, Trevor Gowdy, is pronounced fit enough by doctors to give evidence.
06 June 2012
Mauritius Murder Trial Hears Widower's Evidence
Police told the widower of a honeymoon strangling victim he would "get another wife," a court heard today. John McAreavey, whose wife Michaela was killed in their luxury hotel in Mauritius last January, told the island's Supreme Court about how the police treated him.
Mauritius Murder Trial Hears Widower's Evidence
Police told the widower of a honeymoon strangling victim he would "get another wife," a court heard today. John McAreavey, whose wife Michaela was killed in their luxury hotel in Mauritius last January, told the island's Supreme Court about how the police treated him.
23 May 2012
Room-Cleaner Gives Evidence At Mauritius Murder Trial
A room cleaner at the luxury hotel where a Tyrone newly-wed died has begun giving evidence at the murder trial of two of his former colleagues. Raj Theekow claims to have heard a female voice crying out from Room 1025 at Legends Hotel, where Michaela McAreavey was staying while on honeymoon in Mauritius.
Room-Cleaner Gives Evidence At Mauritius Murder Trial
A room cleaner at the luxury hotel where a Tyrone newly-wed died has begun giving evidence at the murder trial of two of his former colleagues. Raj Theekow claims to have heard a female voice crying out from Room 1025 at Legends Hotel, where Michaela McAreavey was staying while on honeymoon in Mauritius.
22 April 2013
SF President Gives Evidence At Trial
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has given evidence in the trial of his brother Liam, who is accused of sexually abusing his daughter Aine. Liam is charged with ten counts of sexually abusing his daughter, however he denies all of the charges. The alleged incidents occurred over 30 years ago.
SF President Gives Evidence At Trial
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has given evidence in the trial of his brother Liam, who is accused of sexually abusing his daughter Aine. Liam is charged with ten counts of sexually abusing his daughter, however he denies all of the charges. The alleged incidents occurred over 30 years ago.
24 February 2012
PPS Investigate Evidence In UVF Trial
The Public Prosecution Service is to investigate whether the brothers who turned state evidence during the recent UVF ‘supergrass’ trial breached the terms of their agreement. On Wednesday 12 of 13 men who were accused of UVF membership, acts of terrorism and a string of other offences walked free.
PPS Investigate Evidence In UVF Trial
The Public Prosecution Service is to investigate whether the brothers who turned state evidence during the recent UVF ‘supergrass’ trial breached the terms of their agreement. On Wednesday 12 of 13 men who were accused of UVF membership, acts of terrorism and a string of other offences walked free.
-
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.
