Two charged with Gilmore murder are refused bail

TWO men charged with murdering prominent loyalist George Gilmore must remain in custody, a judge has ruled.

Alleged gunman Samuel David McMaw (29) and Brian McLean (35) were both refused bail despite again questioning the reliability of key prosecution witnesses to the killing in Carrickfergus.

Their applications were denied at Belfast Magistrates Court on the basis that no change in circumstances had been established.

Gilmore (44) died after being hit by bullets fired at his car on the Woodburn housing estate in broad daylight in March this year.

McMaw, from Starbog Road in Kilwaughter, Co Antrim, and McLean, with an address at The Birches in Carrickfergus, are jointly charged with the murder.

Defence lawyers based their new applications for bail on issues around the credibility of witnesses.

Barrister Dennis Boyd contended: “These witnesses are fundamentally unreliable.”

Refusing the applications, however, District Judge Nigel Broderick stressed he was not overseeing the trial.

“I don’t believe this court is in a position to properly analyse the Crown case to such an extent that it would change the view in relation to bail,” he said.

“I’m not satisfied that there is a material change in circumstances,” the judge added.