Menu
08/01/2009
Weapons Highlighted As Loyalist Charged
On the day that illegal loyalist paramilitary weapons are again in focus - with a leading police association insisting there is no evidence of any intention of surrendering such arms - a prominent loyalist has appeared in court charged with murder.
Mark Haddock, 40, was charged by the Historical Enquiries Team after being taken from Maghaberry prison where he is serving a 10-year sentence for attacking a club doorman.
The Mount Vernon man was questioned at Antrim serious crime suite and charged over the death of UDA man Tommy English.
The fatal shooting was in October 2000, and saw Mr English gunned-down in front of his wife and children during a bloody loyalist feud.
Belfast Magistrates Court was today told the case against Haddock was based on statements of two brothers who admitted having a role in the murder.
The pair from Newtownabbey were initially charged with murder but last month admitted a lesser charge.
Meanwhile, the NI Police Federation has said that the recent decision to allow another year for loyalist paramilitaries to decommission their weapons is wrong.
In a letter sent to the Secretary of State the Federation's Terry Spence, which represents the 9,000 Police Service of Northern Ireland officers, said the request was "misconceived and undisguised appeasement".
"The fact is that loyalist paramilitaries have had 11 years to decommission," he said.
He said there was no meaningful evidence that the UVF and particularly the UDA had any intention of surrendering their arms until forced to do so and slammed Secretary of State Shaun Woodward's move to extend the NI Arms Decommissioning Act to 2010.
The Federation said it wanted MPs and Peers to resist the request and that loyalist paramilitaries had no intention of giving up their weapons.
However, the NIO said that it would be the last time the deadline would be extended.
(BMcC)
Mark Haddock, 40, was charged by the Historical Enquiries Team after being taken from Maghaberry prison where he is serving a 10-year sentence for attacking a club doorman.
The Mount Vernon man was questioned at Antrim serious crime suite and charged over the death of UDA man Tommy English.
The fatal shooting was in October 2000, and saw Mr English gunned-down in front of his wife and children during a bloody loyalist feud.
Belfast Magistrates Court was today told the case against Haddock was based on statements of two brothers who admitted having a role in the murder.
The pair from Newtownabbey were initially charged with murder but last month admitted a lesser charge.
Meanwhile, the NI Police Federation has said that the recent decision to allow another year for loyalist paramilitaries to decommission their weapons is wrong.
In a letter sent to the Secretary of State the Federation's Terry Spence, which represents the 9,000 Police Service of Northern Ireland officers, said the request was "misconceived and undisguised appeasement".
"The fact is that loyalist paramilitaries have had 11 years to decommission," he said.
He said there was no meaningful evidence that the UVF and particularly the UDA had any intention of surrendering their arms until forced to do so and slammed Secretary of State Shaun Woodward's move to extend the NI Arms Decommissioning Act to 2010.
The Federation said it wanted MPs and Peers to resist the request and that loyalist paramilitaries had no intention of giving up their weapons.
However, the NIO said that it would be the last time the deadline would be extended.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 April 2002
Fresh demands on loyalists to decommission
There have been fresh calls from both sides of the political divide for loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons following a second historic move from the IRA.
Fresh demands on loyalists to decommission
There have been fresh calls from both sides of the political divide for loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons following a second historic move from the IRA.
27 February 2002
Tory MP meets loyalist paramilitary chiefs in Belfast
The Conservative spokesman on Northern Ireland Quentin Davies has held face-to-face talks with loyalist paramilitary chiefs. The meeting between Mr Davies and members of the self-named Loyalist Commission took place at a secret location in Belfast on Tuesday February 26.
Tory MP meets loyalist paramilitary chiefs in Belfast
The Conservative spokesman on Northern Ireland Quentin Davies has held face-to-face talks with loyalist paramilitary chiefs. The meeting between Mr Davies and members of the self-named Loyalist Commission took place at a secret location in Belfast on Tuesday February 26.
23 October 2002
Man charged over loyalist weapons find
Police have charged a 38-year-old man in connection with the an arms and ammunition find in Newtownabbey yesterday. The man was arrested after police uncovered a quantity of long and short arms, pipe bombs, a booby-trap device and a substantial amount of ammunition in the roof space of a building in the loyalist Rathcoole estate.
Man charged over loyalist weapons find
Police have charged a 38-year-old man in connection with the an arms and ammunition find in Newtownabbey yesterday. The man was arrested after police uncovered a quantity of long and short arms, pipe bombs, a booby-trap device and a substantial amount of ammunition in the roof space of a building in the loyalist Rathcoole estate.
05 February 2009
Loyalist Guns In Focus As Peace Broker Remembered
As leading loyalist figures joined mourners at the funeral of a 'peace-broker' clergyman yesterday, the focus of attention was again turning to weapons' decommissioning. The Rev Roy Magee, who was buried on Wednesday, was a key figure in helping to broker the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in the mid-1990s.
Loyalist Guns In Focus As Peace Broker Remembered
As leading loyalist figures joined mourners at the funeral of a 'peace-broker' clergyman yesterday, the focus of attention was again turning to weapons' decommissioning. The Rev Roy Magee, who was buried on Wednesday, was a key figure in helping to broker the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in the mid-1990s.
25 August 2017
Two Men Arrested Over Loyalist Paramilitary Activity In L'Derry
Two men have been arrested in connection with violent loyalist paramilitary activity in Co L'Derry. A 21-year-old man was detained by police over offences which include a shooting at a property in the Bonds Street area in December 2016. Police also arrested a 44-year-old man in Belfast on suspicion of a number of other terrorism offences.
Two Men Arrested Over Loyalist Paramilitary Activity In L'Derry
Two men have been arrested in connection with violent loyalist paramilitary activity in Co L'Derry. A 21-year-old man was detained by police over offences which include a shooting at a property in the Bonds Street area in December 2016. Police also arrested a 44-year-old man in Belfast on suspicion of a number of other terrorism offences.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
