Stone quizzed on Kielty death plot and others
By Stephen Breen
04 July 2005

LOYALIST killer Michael Stone has been quizzed by police over alleged murder plots targeting leading republicans, including Alex Maskey and Bernadette McAliskey.
Sunday Life can reveal that the Milltown cemetery killer - who was held by cops for three days last week - was also questioned about a plan to murder the father of Ulster comedian, Paddy Kielty.
It is understood he was interviewed about a plot to kill Co Down businessman Jack Kielty that pre-dated his 1988 slaying by UFF gunmen.
Stone now believes he will be returned to prison, after police sent a new file on his terrorist exploits in the 1980s to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Security sources have claimed Stone only presented himself to cops last month, after he was told that an informer was going to reveal new details about his life as a loyalist killer.
Stone went to a police station in London, and was then flown to Northern Ireland, where he was held for three days before being released.
Cops would only say that the former UFF hitman had been quizzed about serious crime.
But Sunday Life can reveal the killer-turned-artist was questioned about the attempted murder of a nationalist in Garvagh, Co Down, prior to his attack on mourners in Milltown cemetery.
He was also interviewed about a series of conspiracy to murder allegations, conspiracy to cause an explosion, and one allegation of armed robbery, all dating back to the 1980s.
It is understood the conspiracy to murder charges relate to a loyalist plot to kill leading Belfast republicans Alex Maskey, Tom Hartley and Sean McKnight at a Sinn Fein advice centre.
Sources also told us that Stone was quizzed about a plan to murder outspoken republican Bernadette McAliskey, and Paddy Kielty’s father Jack.
Stone is now back in London, and has refused to comment on his latest arrest.
But sources close to the graveyard killer believe he is preparing himself for a return to prison.
Stone was released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement but could be returned to jail if he is convicted of different offences.
Said a source: “The talk is that Stone definitely believes that his past has caught up with him, and he will be going back to prison.
“He decided to jump before he was pushed by going to the police, because he believes that an informer is going to tell the courts about all the things he was involved in.
“Stone is not surprised that a file has been sent to the DPP, and he’s now just waiting to see what happens.
“Some of his friends are saying that if he is returned to prison, it will be the Government trying to even things up because (Shankill bomber) Sean Kelly has been thrown back in prison.”
sbreen@belfasttelegraph.co.uk






