Former top loyalist denies killing rival paramilitary
Irish News
16 Jan 2009
A FORMER top loyalist strenuously denied a charge of murdering a rival paramilitary leader more than eight years ago, a court heard yesterday.
Darren Moore (39) is the fourth man to be charged in connection with the killing of UDA chief Tommy English during a bloody loyalist feud in Belfast.
He was remanded in custody after appearing at Belfast magistrates court amid heavy security.
CHARGED: Darren Moore (39), right, was remanded in custody at Belfast magistrates court yesterday charged with killing UDA chief Tommy English, left
Moore, of Mount Vernon Park, Belfast, is also accused of two counts of membership of the outlawed UVF between 1996 and 2000.
The charges were brought against him following a new investigation by detectives from the Historical Enquiries Team – a specialist police unit set up to probe unsolved killings from the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Moore’s one-time close associate, alleged police agent Mark Haddock (40) has also been charged with murdering Mr English.
The UDA man, who had been involved in a loyalist delegation which took part in talks at Stormont prior to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, was gunned down in front of his wife at their home on the Ballyduff estate, Newtownabbey on Halloween night in 2000.
His killing was part of a feud between rival UDA and UVF factions which claimed seven lives.
Two brothers from Newtownabbey, who were originally charged with the killing, have since pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting in the murder of 40-year-old Mr English.
It was claimed during a previous court hearing that they have implicated up to 10 men in the shooting.
Moore stood in the dock yesterday as detective sergeant David Lowans said he could connect him with the offences.
The officer confirmed that when charged Moore replied: “I strenuously deny the allegations – not guilty.”
During cross examination defence lawyer Roderick Friers said: “This is eight years old. There’s absolutely no forensic evidence linking my client to this incident.”
Mr Lowans replied: “That’s the case at present.”
The detective also confirmed that Moore had been interviewed previously in connection with the shooting – in 2000 and 2004 – and was released without charge.
He agreed with Mr Friers assessment that the only evidence against the accused came from two witnesses who were initially charged with the murder.
Moore was remanded in custody to appear again via video-link next week.
'So venceremos, beidh bua againn eigin lá eigin. Sealadaigh abú.'
--Bobby Sands