Madden & Finucane
Ranked
Number 1
by Chambers,
the clients guide
to the legal profession
Chambers and Partners have been publishing their
world-famous guides to the legal profession since 1990. The key to the success
of their legal directories and the validity of their awards is the in-depth,
unbiased research conducted by their team of highly qualified and experienced
researchers. View more
Madden & Finucane
present
the Madden & Finucane
and Pat Finucane
Aisling Awards
The Aisling Bursaries, launched in March 2000, are
an educational initiative between Belfast Media Group and West Belfast
Partnership. The Aisling Bursaries are designed to help students defray their
education and training costs.
View
more
|
|
Charges withdrawn in O'Hagan murder case
10 July 2010 --
Charges have been withdrawn against four Craigavon loyalists over the murder of
Sunday World journalist Martin O'Hagan.
However, the public prosecution service (PPS) insisted last night that all the
men would be brought before the courts.
The 51-year-old reporter was shot dead by LVF gunmen in September 2001 as he
walked home with his wife Marie from a pub in Lurgan.
As the couple were passing the loyalist Mourneview estate, a car pulled slowly
alongside them just yards from their house.
Mr O'Hagan pushed his wife into a hedge as a gunman opened fire, hitting him
several times in the body.
Mr O'Hagan's murder was claimed by the Red Hand Defenders, but was widely
regarded to have been carried out by the LVF.
In September 2008 Craigavon loyalists Drew King, Nigel Leckey, Robin King, Mark
Kennedy and Neil Hyde were charged in connection with the killing.
Drew King, Hyde and Leckey were charged with murdering the reporter.
King's brother Robin was charged with attempting to pervert the course of
justice, while Kennedy, a 28-year-old Catholic from south Belfast, was accused
of helping to conceal a getaway car.
The evidence against the five is understood to have come from a witness, known
only as 'A', who had gone to police in July 2007.
King's defence raised concerns that the only evidence against their client was
the witness statement from 'A', who it claimed was unreliable and had a criminal
record dating back nearly 50 years.
A PPS spokesman told a court hearing in Craigavon yesterday that charges against
King were now being withdrawn.
Charges were also withdrawn against Nigel Leckey, Robin King and Mark Kennedy.
However, it is understood the four could still face prosecution following
speculation that they could be served with an indictable offence.
A PPS spokesman last night said: "The prosecution case will continue to be
progressed against all of the accused."
Neil Hyde is still charged with the murder.
Drew King's solicitor Ciaran Shiels last night said it was a "matter of huge
concern that any defendant should have been charged and remanded in custody to
Maghaberry Prison on the basis of statements of a witness so lacking in
credibility".
"Witness A's allegations were uncorroborated by any other form of evidence
whether it be forensic, identification or admissions made in interview," he
said.
"When making decisions in the future to charge citizens with offences,
particularly serious offences, the PPS must do so with much more care than was
exhibited in this case."
|
|
more..
|
|
|