SAOIRSE32

BBC

No-one has been convicted of the murders

A man arrested in connection with the murders of two teenagers in County Armagh five years ago has been released from police custody.

Andrew Robb, 19, and 18-year-old David McIlwaine, both from Portadown, were stabbed to death on 18 February 2000.

Their bodies were found on the Druminure Road outside Tandragee, a few hours after they had left a disco.

A 54-year-old man arrested on Saturday has now been freed. A report will be sent to the Public Prosecution Service.

No-one has been convicted of the murders which were carried out during a loyalist paramilitary feud in the Portadown area.

However, police and both families said neither of the young men had any connection with a paramilitary organisation.

Petrol bomb attack

David McIlwaine had been a graphic design student.

In the past, a number of people were arrested and one man charged in connection with the murders, but the charges were later withdrawn in court.

In September, Andrew Robb’s mother Ann blamed loyalist paramilitaries for a petrol bomb attack on her home in Portadown.

She said her family had been subjected to UVF harassment since Andrew was killed.

BBC

A second man is to appear in court charged in connection with the £26.5m Northern Bank robbery in Belfast city centre last December.

The 43-year-old is set to appear at Laganside Magistrates Court on Monday.

A police spokeswoman said he was being charged with “offences relating to the Northern Bank investigation” but was unable to give any more information.

On Friday, a 23-year-old County Down man denied involvement in the robbery. He was remanded in custody.

Another man is still being questioned by police in connection with the robbery which happened at the bank’s Northern Ireland headquarters at Donegall Square West just before Christmas last year.

Some money seized in County Cork last February was linked to the robbery, but virtually all of the missing millions remain unrecovered.

BBC

The mountain offers stunning views of Belfast and beyond

Divis Mountain has won a National Lottery Award after coming first in the Amazing Space category.

Divis Mountain opened for the first time to the public at the end of June.

The area was formerly owned by the Ministry of Defence and was bought by the National Trust last year with the help of a lottery grant of £1.33m.

The awards focused on projects which have benefited children and young people and the winners are voted for by the public.

The mountain is now open to walkers, nature-lovers and sightseers.

About 1,200 volunteering hours were put in to help restore the land to its natural beauty and preserve and protect its wildlife.

Now the public has free access all year round to the mountain, and the vistas of the city and beyond that it offers.

Mike Dobson, the property manager of Divis and Black Mountain, said he was absolutely delighted to receive the accolade.

“Winning this award so soon after the mountain was opened to the public demonstrates how superb this open space is for people in Belfast and beyond,” he said.

“This award is for everyone - staff, volunteers, funders, communities and everyone who helped and supported the National Trust to realise this breathtaking vision.”

Sunday Life

By Stephen Breen
06 November 2005

THE family of murdered Bangor woman Lisa Dorrian will meet with Security Minister Shaun Woodward today.

The 25-year-old’s family will be accompanied by North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon for the Hillsborough Castle meeting.

They requested the sit-down with Mr Woodward to discuss the police investigation into Lisa’s disappearance and murder.

Lisa’s family are seeking assurances that the investigation will not be scaled down.

It comes after it emerged cops conducted a series of searches last week in a bid to uncover evidence about the case.

Sunday Life understands police are set to conduct a number of searches for Lisa’s body in water before the end of the month.

The searches were organised after police received new intelligence about Lisa’s murder and the whereabouts of her body.

Speaking to us last night Lisa’s mother, Pat, told us her family have prepared a list of questions for Mr Woodward.

Said Mrs Dorrian: “We are hoping the meeting with Mr Woodward will be worthwhile and that he is happy to answer all of the questions we put to him.

“Lisa has been missing for eight months now and we just want to ensure we have the full support of the Government in our campaign to find her and to bring those responsible for killing her to justice.

“We would also like to ask him about the intelligence the police have been receiving and to what extent they will continue to use that intelligence.”

The family also thanked everyone who attended a special service in Bangor on Friday night to celebrate Lisa’s life.

BBC

Police said Adair’s presence is “of interest” to them

Former loyalist paramilitary leader Johnny Adair has moved to a Scottish town, police have confirmed.

They said 42-year-old Adair has taken up residence in Troon in Ayrshire after moving from Bolton, Greater Manchester.

A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said the presence of Adair, from Belfast, was “clearly of interest” to the force.

Adair was released from prison in January after serving two-thirds of a 16-year term for directing terrorism by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF).

Last month Adair - nicknamed “Mad Dog” - was sentenced to a 12-month supervision order in Bolton after admitting assaulting his wife Gina. He was ordered to pay his wife £250 in compensation.

A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said: “Collectively the Scottish Police Service is aware of the presence of Mr Adair in Scotland.

Loyalist feud

“As a UK citizen, he is not subject to any restriction and is free to enter Scotland but the fact that he has chosen to do so is clearly of interest to us.

“We would, however, wish to generally reassure members of the public of our resolve to continually monitor any potential causes for concern and take the action that appears appropriate to the circumstances at that time.”

Adair was expelled by the Ulster Defence Association leadership in late 2002. The organisation has carried out attacks on Catholics under its UFF cover name.

Adair’s family stayed in Scotland briefly in 2003 after fleeing a loyalist feud in Belfast.

BBC

A suspect package found at Down Royal racecourse in County Down was an “elaborate hoax”, police have said.

Thousands of racegoers were moved out of the Hillsborough site on Saturday after telephoned bomb warnings.

The alert came during the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing, one of the biggest events in the racing calendar.

Army technical officers examined the object before declaring it a hoax. Police used dogs to search the rest of the course but nothing else was found.

About 8,000 people, thought to be a record crowd, had to leave the course following the warnings.

Mike Todd, the manager of Down Royal racecourse, said he was saddened that the meeting had been interrupted due to the “actions of a tiny minority in our community who are clearly set on living on the past”.

Ulster Unionist peer Lord Magennis, who was at the meeting, said it had cost the racing industry a lot of money.

Sunday Life

Tour firm back on Shankill after loyalist reassurances

By Alan Murray
06 November 2005

A BELFAST bus tour firm - which was threatened that its vehicles would be attacked unless it paid paramilitaries £6,000 - now says the threat did not come from loyalists.

City Sightseeing Tours says it accepts Shankill loyalists did not attempt to extort cash from the company - even though five of its vehicles were stoned in one two-week period.

After meeting both the UDA and UVF last week, the firm’s director - who didn’t want to be named - said he was satisfied that there was no threat to his business from loyalist paramilitaries.

He said: “I now believe the threat story was bogus.”

It was originally reported that a Shankill UDA commander was behind the demand for cash, to feed his boozy lifestyle.

The businessman added: “This is what I was told originally, but both the UDA and the UVF have denied making any demands for cash and we are operating normally along the Shankill and Crumlin roads.”

The firm operates seven open-top double-decker buses along the Shankill and Falls roads, but was forced to suspend the service for a fortnight because of stoning attacks on the Crumlin Road.

“We had four or five buses damaged in stoning incidents over a fortnight, but BT and other companies had their vehicles stoned, too, so we don’t think we were singled out for special attention.

“It wasn’t kids doing it, but groups of men, so I suspected it was organised by paramilitaries.

“Anyway, the company has been told that there are no demands for money from any loyalist organisations and we can carry on without any threat to our business.”

One community activist in the area said local people wanted the tours to continue without interference.

He said: “The Shankill has a history that its people are proud of and we want people from all over the world to see how we live and begin to understand our culture - we don’t want the tours to stop.”

slnews@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Sunday Life

Thomas Devlin fund set up in memory of stabbed pupil

By Stephen Breen
06 November 2005

Thomas Devlin - BBC photo

THE principal of murdered teenager Thomas Devlin’s school has backed calls for a total knife ban.

Belfast Royal Academy head Billy Young joined Thomas’s mum, Penny, in expressing concern over the province’s growing knife culture.

Thomas (15) died in August after he was stabbed five times in the back as he walked along Somerton Road in north Belfast with pals.

Although a number of people were questioned about his murder, no one has been charged.

Mr Young, who has kept in close contact with Thomas’s family since the killing, told students that more must be done to tackle the growing number of stabbings in the province.

He also confirmed that a special fund has been set up by the school in Thomas’s memory.

An anonymous donor has already contributed £1,000 to the fund.

Parents of children at the school have also been making donations since the fund was set up last week.

Said Mr Young: “I have been working at the academy since 1968 and Thomas’s murder is the worst thing the school has ever had to deal with.

“All principals in schools are concerned about society and that’s why we must do whatever we can to restrict the use of lethal knives. It seems to me that things aren’t as safe as they used to be.

“We are trying to support Thomas’s family as best we can and that’s why I totally support his mother’s views on the sale of lethal knives in Northern Ireland.

“Thomas’s loss is still felt by everyone at the school and all we can do is support his friends who were deeply affected by such a random murder.”

He also outlined his reasons for establishing the memorial fund.

He added: “We haven’t decided what to do with the fund and we will be consulting with Thomas’s parents and his close circle of friends.

“Maybe it could be used to help a student - or, if we raise enough cash, then maybe it could be put to good use in a disadvantaged community.”

Said Thomas’s mum, Penny: “I think it is very positive for a principal to support demands for action on the sale of lethal knives in Ulster.

“I’m also really quite heartened by the fact people at the school want to remember Thomas with a memorial fund. Thomas’s murder really has hit people at the school.

“The police have also been keeping in touch with me and I would again appeal for people to come forward.

“I know nothing will bring Thomas back. But I wouldn’t want something like this happening to another innocent child.”

sbreen@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Sunday Life

06 November 2005

THE departure of the Police Ombudsman’s most senior investigator may lead to a review of how senior staff are appointed in her office.

Nuala O’Loan announced Dave Wood’s departure last Friday - only after Sunday Life sought a statement about why he was quitting his £110,000-a-year post.

Wood, a former deputy Assistant Commissioner in the Met, had been on secondment to the office when he was appointed to the full-time staff as executive director of investigations.

Some staff believed the post should have been advertised publicly.

It’s understood staff have been told that it’s within Mrs O’Loan’s powers to make senior appointments.

But there is nothing in the legislation covering the setting up of her office that provides it with an exemption from the public appointments criteria.

Wood produced the critical report into the RUC’s investigation of the Omagh bombing. It slated the force’s handling of the investigation.

Mr Wood upset many officers last year when he described policing during the Troubles as “generally poor”, although he accepted that officers had been under huge pressure.

As the search begins for Mr Wood’s successor, DUP MEP Jim Allister said that he expected that public posts which carried substantial salaries should always be open to public competition.

“It is essential that a position as important as the one Mr Wood held is filled through a complete and open process of recruitment,” he said.

A spokesman for the Ombudsman’s office said Sunday Life’s inquiries would be answered later by chief executive Sam Pollock, who is dealing with a request from us under the Freedom of Information Act.

Sunday Life

06 November 2005

ALTHOUGH the streets of Belfast saw the worst of the loyalist feud, the LVF’s leading figures in mid-Ulster have been forced to creep back into the shadows.

The organisation are known to control the lucrative drugs trade, but its leading figures have taken a number of expensive hits at the hands of the Drugs Squad and have gone to ground.

And a number of their members have been targeted in shooting incidents arising out of personal disputes.

Among those shot was convicted drug dealer Gordon Hutchinson.

Child killer Glen Hagan has also been caught up in a number of explosive incidents with loyalist rivals.

Also keeping his head down is the money man behind the LVF’s drug deals.

The man - an associate of the LVF’s former jailhouse commander Robin ‘Billy’ King - has never been convicted of an offence in this country, but was questioned in relation to the murder of investigative reporter Martin O’Hagan.

He has lost money on a number of major drugs busts, including a £1m cocaine haul recovered in mid Ulster, and an £8m ecstasy racket smashed in Amsterdam, but has never been up in front of a court.

According to security sources, he is “keeping a very low profile” at the minute.

Sunday Life

By Ciaran McGuigan
06 November 2005

THE LOYALIST Volunteer Force offered to “stand down” because it was in disarray with its leaders either behind bars or forced to flee Ulster.

But the loyalist terror group, described by one senior security source as “simply drugs dealers with guns and badges”, are unlikely to give up their lucrative drugs trade so easily, it has been warned.

The LVF statement issued last Monday, ordering all its units to stand down, has been met with scepticism

“Whether or not they step down, as they have said in the past week is one thing.

“But drug dealing is what these people do for a living and have been for years, and it’s unlikely that they are going to give that up now,” warned a senior security source.

“They have come out with their statement because they have been under intense pressure from the UVF, and for no other reason.

“If they are serious about standing down they will have to give up their guns and stop dealing drugs and I don’t see that happening.

“Their organisation has taken some severe blows, however.

“Because of what has happened (with the UVF), a lot of the most senior figures have taken themselves offside and out of the country.

“Others are still in Northern Ireland, but in jail.”

Sunday Life understands that among the senior figures who have fled is a close associate of murdered LVF commander Steven Warnock.

The man, who lived in the Garnerville area of Holywood, fled after the UVF took over the estate. He’s believed to be holed up in east Scotland.

As well as coming under pressure from the UVF, the man is understood to have been questioned about the disappearance of Lisa Dorrian.

Added our source: “He was the main man in Holywood and east Belfast and was involved in major drug dealing on a daily basis.”

Another leading figure is Robert ‘Blackie’ Black, currently on remand in Maghaberry prison awaiting a no-jury trial for attempted murder.

He was one of the men arrested for a brutal shooting in Redburn cemetery, earlier this year.

Said a security source: “Blackie would have been the one who put up a fight against the UVF.

“With him off the streets and behind bars, things were able to calm down a little.”

Black is another known drug dealer and another associate of Warnock, with over 100 convictions to his name.

Another leading LVF figure, who was released from prison in mid September, and has remained close to home, is Lawrence ‘Duffer’ Kincaid.

He was charged earlier this year with intimidation in relation to an incident in which he suffered a serious gunshot wound.

Before that shooting incident, Kincaid, who has already served jail time for drugs offences, beat a major drugs rap after an “ecstasy distribution centre” was unearthed in the Ballysillian area of north Belfast.

cmcguigan@belfast telegraph.co.uk

Sunday Life

By Alan Murray
06 November 2005

THE daughter of a woman murdered by the IRA in the Enniskillen massacre will lobby MPs at Westminster this week to reject an amnesty for terrorist fugitives.

Aileen Quinton, who lost her mother, Alberta, on Remembrance Day 18 years ago, will join other victims of IRA violence to urge MPs to challenge Government plans to allow the Enniskillen bomber and other fugitives to return to Ulster.

Charles Caufield was named under House of Commons’ privilege by Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson as the IRA man who built and detonated the bomb which killed 11 people in the Poppy Day attack in 1987.

Caufield is understood to be among a 50-strong group of IRA terrorists whom Sinn Fein is seeking an amnesty for.

He is believed to have been living in the United States since the devastating attack.

On the 10th anniversary of the bombing in 1997, Ms Quinton staged a candlelight protest outside Sinn Fein’s Dublin offices.

Mr Donaldson said Aileen would join other victims at Westminster this week to advise MPs of the deep opposition to the Government’s amnesty plans.

He said: “Aileen and other victims will gather at Westminster to lobby MPs from all parties about the iniquity of this legislation.

“The Government is keeping the details secret because it knows the reaction it is generating.”

And he added: “There is stiff opposition to these secret plans from MPs across the board.

“There is a good possibility that the Government will be defeated on this one in the House of Lords.

“The Government is so concerned that they are refusing to divulge any details - that’s how sensitive they are on this.”

The NIO last week refused to discuss the issue or confirm any details about how many fugitives would be granted an amnesty.

Sunday Life

By Alan Murray
06 November 2005

THE mystery of a UDA leader - who fled the dock of a Belfast court 31 years ago - may finally be solved next year.

Sammy Tweed, the ‘Lord Lucan’ of loyalism, vanished in 1974 after 50 denim-clad youths created mayhem in Belfast Magistrates’ Court and hustled him to freedom.

But the saga could be about to end if the Government implements an amnesty for so-called terrorist ‘on the runs’.

Asked about Tweed, the PSNI last week refused to say if he was still on their wanted list.

In 1974, Tweed, then 32, was a UDA leader from Templemore Street in east Belfast who was charged with possessing 18 handguns and a shotgun.

His solicitor indicated at a hearing in April 1974 that Tweed accepted full responsibility for the weapons haul.

He was facing 15 years in jail when, at a second hearing in May 1974, young supporters shouted a bomb warning and help him flee prison officers and police to a yellow van parked Chichester Street.

Sammy Tweed hasn’t been seen since, at least not by the RUC or the PSNI.

Only UDA veterans can recall anything about him. None will say where he is today and probably very few know.

But by next year he might receive a virtual ‘amnesty’ for his criminal offences along with around 60 IRA on the runs.

One veteran UDA figure said last week: “I wonder what Sammy looks like today? He’d be in his sixties. He could be in England or Scotland living under a new name. He could even be here still.”

Sunday Life

By Joe Oliver
06 November 2005

A PASSIONATE supporter of Ulster-Scots culture is set to become the new High Sheriff of Belfast.

William Humphrey’s name has already been submitted to Secretary of State Peter Hain.

The DUP member, who was elected to the city council last May, will succeed the UUP’s David Browne in January.

Mr Humphrey (38) is a director of the Ulster-Scots Heritage Council, and a former member of the UUP.

He also represents the Court area, which includes the Shankill, Highfield and Woodvale wards.

“I’ve lived in Woodvale all my life and I’m well aware of the deprivation in many areas of Court,” he said.

“It’s one of the reasons why I hope to help and promote young people in the city during my year in office.”

The High Sheriff, who represents the Lord Mayor and deputy Lord Mayor when they are unavailable, is also present at all Royal functions.

“I’m looking forward to playing a role alongside the Lord Mayor and deputy Lord Mayor, particularly with the centenary of the City Hall next year.”

Sunday Life

06 November 2005

A LOYALIST supergrass forced to flee his Belfast flat after being tortured by a leading UDA man has had a claim for compensation dismissed by the NIO.

The Northern Ireland Office told convicted drug dealer-turned-supergrass Dessie Truesdale there were no fewer than 26 REASONS why his claim for compensation was refused.

Truesdale is currently in hiding in England, on the run from BOTH the mainstream UDA thugs who have threatened to kill him and Johnny Adair’s ‘Bolton Wanderers’.

He fled Ulster after receiving a savage beating in his north Belfast flat by UDA boss Mo Courtney.

But he returned briefly to Northern Ireland to give police statements against Courtney and Ihab Shoukri.

He told cops how Courtney - currently on trial accused of the murder of Alan McCullough - and Shoukri ‘questioned’ and beat him after using his brother William Truesdale to trick their way into his flat.

He also told how they ordered him to hand over £5,000 he had in a Credit Union account.

It was then he knew he had to flee to England.

However, the NIO wrote to Truesdale last week telling him that they would not pay him compensation in relation to the assault and the fact he had to flee his flat.

The letter then listed 26 reasons why he was not entitled to compensation, starting with a caution for not wearing a seatbelt when he was stopped in a car in 1988.

It also included a number of drugs convictions and his former associations with his brother Ian and his pals in Johnny Adair’s former UFF ‘C’ Company.

Dessie Truesdale last night told Sunday Life: “I can’t believe that I went back to Belfast and risked my life giving statements against the likes of Mo Courtney and they (the NIO) have let me down like this.”