Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Haggarty to give evidence in UVF double killing trial
Supergrass will testify on Fox & Convie murders SHOT DEAD
UVF chief turned supergrass Gary Haggarty is to be a witness in the trial of a man accused of murdering two Catholic workers.
Director of Public Prosecutions Barra Mcgrory announced yesterday “assisting offender” Haggarty will offer evidence in the prosecution of a suspect in the double killling of Eamon Fox, 44, and 24-year-old Gary Convie.
The pair were shot dead while eating lunch in their car close to a building site on Belfast’s North Queen Street in May 1994. The attack was blamed on the UVF.
The suspect, believed to be from North Belfast, is understood to have previously been charged with the murders but the case was not proceeded with pending resolution of Haggarty’s prosecution.
Solicitor for the victims’ families, Padraig O Muirigh, welcomed the news but said the case will not see other figures before the court.
He added: “Despite clear evidence of collusion the handlers in this case will not be prosecuted.
“Obviously it’s welcome there will be a prosecution, but the role of police handlers will not be before the court.”
Haggarty pleaded guilty to more than 200 terror offences, including five murders, earlier this year.
But the PPS announced last month 13 suspects implicated by him, including two former police officers, will not be prosecuted.
They said there was insufficient corroborating evidence to support the allegations levelled by Haggarty to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction.
Howe ver, i n a stat ement issued yesterday afternoon, Mr Mcgrory said Haggarty will be part of a case t to prosecute an individual suspected of the murders of Mr Fox and Mr Convie.
He added he is “satisfied there is independent evidence which is capable of supporting his identification of the suspect”.
Mr Mcgrory said: “This includes both eyewitness and forensic evidence.
“In these circumstances I have concluded there is a reasonable prospect of conviction and the test for prosecution is met.
“I confirm we intend to use assisting offender Gary Haggarty as a witness in this prosecution.”
As well as the double murder, the accused will also be prosecuted for the attempted murder of a witness, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life and membership of the UVF.
Mr Mcgrory added: “I am mindful this announcement will be difficult for the families involved in each of these cases.
“We are continuing to keep them updated on developments.”
Mr Mcgrory said another two suspects reported over the murder of J ohn Harbinson i n 1997 using Haggarty ’s evidence would not be prosecuted.
He added: “In relation to Gary Haggarty, given all the relevant circumstances including his admitted criminality, I consider his evidence alone is insufficient to prove an allegation beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The evidence currently available to us does not provide the necessary support for Haggarty’s identification of the reported suspects as those involved in the abduction and murder of Mr Harbinson.”
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