This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-northern-ireland-16851715
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Alleged Continuity IRA leader named in Carroll murder trial | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A man has been named in Belfast Crown Court as the leader of the Continuity IRA in Craigavon. | |
It happened during the trial of two men accused of murdering Constable Stephen Carroll. | |
Constable Carroll was the first PSNI officer to be murdered when he was shot dead in Craigavon in March 2009. | |
A detective said a decision was taken not to arrest the alleged dissident leader in order to protect a key prosecution witness - Witness M. | |
He denied claims that the alleged Continuity IRA leader - named by a defence lawyer as Eddie Breen - was an informer. | |
Brendan McConville, 40, from Aldervale, Tullygally and John Paul Wootton, 20, of Collindale, Lurgan, deny murdering Constable Carroll. | |
Witness M has said he spotted 40-year-old Mr McConville at the scene shortly before the shooting. | |
He told the police that he was 90% sure he had seen Mr Breen with Mr McConville, but later changed that to being 50% sure. | |
It emerged that Mr Breen was arrested 11 months after the killing and later released. | |
Witness M also said he was threatened to "keep his mouth shut", and Belfast Crown Court heard claims on Thursday that these threats were carried out by Mr Breen. | |
Mr Breen was not rearrested after Witness M told the police about the threats. | |
When asked why, the detective leading the investigation said arresting him would have put Witness M's family in grave danger. | |
He denied allegations that the police were protecting Mr Breen because he was an informer. | |
Accused of lying | |
Earlier, the defence lawyer accused Witness M of deliberately lying to the court. | |
Giving evidence by videolink, Witness M told the court in Belfast on Wednesday that he saw Mr McConville standing close to where the prosecution claims the gun was fired 30 minutes later. | |
He said he had been out walking his dog at the time. | He said he had been out walking his dog at the time. |
He told the court he had no problems with his eyesight and only wears glasses as a fashion accessory. | He told the court he had no problems with his eyesight and only wears glasses as a fashion accessory. |
However, it has since emerged that he is short sighted and on Thursday in court, he admitted needing glasses for reading. | However, it has since emerged that he is short sighted and on Thursday in court, he admitted needing glasses for reading. |
When asked why he lied under oath he replied: "I didn't." | When asked why he lied under oath he replied: "I didn't." |
The barrister asked: "How many lies do you have to tell as you go along... you say the person I represent was close to the scene of a murder." | The barrister asked: "How many lies do you have to tell as you go along... you say the person I represent was close to the scene of a murder." |
Witness M replied: "Some things like that you don't forget." | Witness M replied: "Some things like that you don't forget." |
Under cross examination the man also revealed that he was treated by a psychologist and was about £11,000 in debt before he entered the witness protection programme. | Under cross examination the man also revealed that he was treated by a psychologist and was about £11,000 in debt before he entered the witness protection programme. |
The court heard that the PSNI pays Witness M £1,400 a month via the programme. They also cover his child care costs and his accommodation. | The court heard that the PSNI pays Witness M £1,400 a month via the programme. They also cover his child care costs and his accommodation. |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
Previous version
1
Next version