Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Coroner unable to ID taxi driver’s murderers
Michael died in gun attack by dissidents
A CORONER investigating the death of a taxi driver murdered by dissidents has been unable to determine the identity of those involved in the shooting.
Michael Mcgibbon was hit twice in the leg in a paramilitarystyle attack in an alleyway close to his home in Ardoyne, North Belfast, in April 2016.
The 33-year-old father-of-four had been ordered to attend the area by the dissident group styling itself as the New IRA amid claims he had acted inappropriately with three female passengers in his taxi.
Delivering her findings in the inquest on Friday, coroner Maria Dougan said the shooting was intended to be a “paramilitary punishment shooting”.
However, one of the bullets had severed an artery in Mr Mcgibbon’s left leg, causing his death in hospital around five hours after the attack. The shooting was subsequently claimed by the New IRA.
The fatal incident unfolded a day after two men claiming to be from “the RA” called at the family home and demanded to speak to Mr Mcgibbon.
The men, whose faces were covered with scarves, failed to force entry into the house but warned they would be back the next day. The incident was reported to the police.
The inquest heard evidence that the following day Mr Mcgibbon made inquiries with well-known Ardoyne republican Dee Fennell to find out why he was wanted.
The court heard claims that later that day Fennell relayed a message that paramilitaries wanted to see him that night at 10pm and, if he did not attend, he should leave the country.
Fennell made a statement to the court saying he played absolutely no part in Mr Mcgibbon’s death.
Mr Mcgibbon attended and was shot twice in the left leg while lying face down in the alleyway.
His wife, who is a nurse, rushed to the scene. Fennell was arrested along with two other men but was not charged.
Delivering her findings at Belfast Coroner’s Court, Ms Dougan said: “On the evidence before me, I am unable to determine the identity of the person or persons involved in the shooting.”