CONFLICT RELATED DEATHS
2001

Date

Name

Age

Sex

Reli-gion

Affili-ation

Alleged Perpe-trator

Location Town / Area

Location County / Country

Details

Category

Arrests / Prosecutions

Sources

06-Jan-01

George Legge

37

M

P

UDA

UDA / RHD

Carryduff

Co Down

Loyalist feud

.

09-Feb-01

Kieran Smyth

39

M

U

RIRA

IRA?

Curraha, Co Meath

Republic of Ireland

Found in a cattle pen in a field near Curraha, Co Meath, shot in head and beaten. Mr Smyth had allegedly been a close associate of RIRA who was involved in cigarette smuggling and money laundering. The murder might also have been drugs related. Mr Smyth had been questioned in relation to the murder of Newry businessman Richard McFerran in Dundalk in 1999 and three specialist Garda units had been investigating his activities, but he had no criminal record.[1]

Drugs-related killing?

[1] Murdered man ‘went bravely’ says dad, by Simon Doyle, Irish News, 16 February 2001

27-Feb-01

Bobby McGuigan

36

M

C

Civilian

IRA?

Lurgan

Co Armagh

Shot a number of times by two masked gunmen as he sat alone in his parked car. Mr McGuigan had a criminal record and criminal links, and was reportedly the victim of a punishment beating in January 1999.[1] The Irish Times listed him among a group of men who had been killed by the IRA for alleged involvement in drugs dealing or criminal activity[2].

Drugs-related killing?

[1] Shooting was not sectarian says RUC, by Aeneas Bonner, Irish News, 1 March 2001

[2] Main terrorist groups still recruit and train, by Jim Cusack, Irish Times, 3 July 2001

13-Mar-01

Adrian Porter

34

M

P

LVF

UVF

Conlig

Co Down

LVF member on bail for drugs charges who died several hours after two gunmen opened fire with an automatic rifle and a handgun on a house in Conlig. A 21-year-old was also shot but survived. Six months before his murder, Porter was granted bail in the High Court on a charge of possessing 20 kilos of cannabis with intent to supply. The 21-year-old had received a death threat made shortly before the shooting.[1] One source indicated that Jim Johnston, an RHC leader who was killed in May 2003, was a suspect in the killing[2].#

Loyalist feud

[1] Killing linked to loyalist warning, by Billy Foley, Irish News, 15 March 2001

[2] Murder tarnishes image of Ulster's smart Gold Coast, by David Lister, The Times, 10 May 2003

03-Apr-01

Trevor Lowry

49

M

P

Civilian

UDA

Glengormley

Co Antrim

Protestant beaten so badly, especially in the face and head, that he died two days later. The attack took place in Glengormley, a nationalist area, where he may have been mistaken for a Catholic. Three men in a white Ford Escort, MXI 4115, tried to abduct another man leaving a GAA club shortly afterwards.[1]

[1] Murdered Protestant attacked ‘by mistake’, by Anne Madden, Irish News, 4 April 2001

[2] Murder trial may have to be aborted, Belfast Telegraph, 2 June 2003

[3] Convictions bring relief and hope to area, by Marie McCrory, Irish News, 24/03/2004

[4] Killer was an Orange district master, By David Gordon, Belfast Telegraph, 24/03.2003

11-Apr-01

Grahame Marks

37

M

P

UVF

LVF / RHD

Tandagree

Co Armagh

Shot several times at his home on Tullyhue Estate in Tandragee by a single gunman using an automatic weapon. A silver Audi A4 that had been stolen in December was used in the attack. The killing was believed to have been part of the loyalist feud. Mr Marks had been questioned by the police the previous year in connection with the murders of David McIlwaine and Andrew Robb.[1] The gun was the same weapon used to kill Martin O’Hagan in September 2001[2].

Loyalist feud

[1] Inquiry into murder continues, BBC News, 19 April 2001

[2] How the UDA kept its peace, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 13 October 2001

21-Apr-01

Christopher ‘Cricky’ O’Kane

37

M

C

Former INLA

IRA / DAAD?

Tullyally

Co Derry

Derry area drugs baron shot four times in the stomach, probably by the IRA. Mr O’Kane was formerly involved in INLA, but it was speculated that he had become an RUC infomer. Loyalist groups (UVF, UDA) had either threatened or attempted to kill him.[1] Sutton says a non-specific Republican group was responsible for the death[2].

Drugs-related killing?

[1] Drugs boss had ‘many enemies’, by Anne Madden, Irish News, 23 April 2001

[2] An Index of Deaths from the Conflict in Ireland, by Malcolm Sutton, CAIN web service, <http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1999.html>

The victim was found beaten up after he had been out drinking with friends.  He died three days later from head injuries [1]

There had allegedly been history of paramilitary attacks against him and his family [2]

The family appealed to the IRA to publicise the results of an alleged internal investigation into the attack [3]

The family allege that Bart Fisher was involved in the attack, and that he had led an IRA raid on the victim's home before and after the attack [4]

Fisher was jailed for 3 years in 2005 for the manslaughter of James McGinley (11/10/2003) However Fisher denies any involvement with the IRA [5]

His heart was given to his uncle the following day in a transplant operation [6]

[1] Sinn Fein urged to investigate murder, Irish News, 17 August 2005

[2] Publicise results family tell IRA, by Roddy McGregor, Irish News, 26 March 2005

[3] Lives lost: Other victims of the IRA, The Guardian, 11 March 2005

[4] Brother rejects killer's denial, by Roddy McGregor, Irish News, 07 March 2005

04-May-01

Paul Daly

38

M

C

Civilian

IRA?

Belfast city centre

Co Antrim

Drugs-related killing?

[1] Girl ‘traumatised’ by dad’s murder, by Anne Madden, Irish News, 14 May 2001

26-May-01

Stephen Manners

40

M

P

Former UVF

LVF?

Newtownards

Co Down

Former UVF man shot several times in the lavatory of Jimmy Mac’s bar in Newtownards as part of the loyalist feud. Mr Manners had been jailed in connection with the 1992 murder of Ann-Marie Smyth, and had recently appeared in court on drugs-related charges.[1]

Loyalist feud

[1] Loyalist feud fear as terrorist is shot dead in pub, by David Sharrock, Daily Telegraph, 29 May 2001

11-Jun-01

Michael Magee

34

M

C

Civilian

Unknown

Downpatrick

Co Down

Alleged drug dealer died in bed 3 weeks after a savage paramilitary-style beating by three masked men that had required a number of staples to his head[1].

[1] Widow hits out at drug dealer ‘lie’, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 15 June 2001

23-Jun-01

John McCormick

25

M

C

Civilian

UDA

Coleraine

Co Derry

Shot several times in the head and stomach at his home in Loughanhill Park, Coleraine, in front of his family. McCormick was due to be a witness in a prosecution arising out of the UDA/UVF feud concerning an August 2000 incident in which an 11-year-old girl, Charlene Daly, was shot in the back, allegedly by the UVF. Although Mr McCormick was giving evidence for the Crown’s case, some members of the UDA had accused him of being part of the shooting. Three weeks before the attack, his home was pipe-bombed, and two weeks before that, a man tried to leave a suspicious package in the garden.[1]

Loyalist feud

A 37-year-old man who was accused of withholding information about the killing was released on bail on 27 July 2001[2]. A 28-year-old man was charged with the murder in February 2003[3].

[1] UDA blamed for murder, by Anne Madden, Irish News, 25 June 2001

[3] Bail set in McCormick case, Irish News, 28 July 2001

[3] Murder accused in court, Irish News, 19 February 2003

04-Jul-01

Ciaran Cummings

19

M

C

Civilian

UVF or RHD

Antrim

Co Antrim

Shot as he waited for a lift at Greystone Roundabout in Antrim by a passenger on a passing motorcycle. The Cummings family has since been subjected to attacks on their home and the monuments erected in Ciaran’s memory.[1] The Red Hand Defenders claimed responsibility for the murder, saying it was an attack on the nationalist community in response to a Sinn Féin victory at the polls. The Irish Times said that renegade members of the UVF committed the murder, possibly as a reprisal for the killing of PUP member Denver Smith.[2]

[1] Victim’s mum meets top cop, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 25 June 2003

[2] Murder ‘was work of UVF renegades’, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 10 December 2001

[3] Wall of silence shields Gerard’s killers, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 16 July 2003

[4] Unsolved murders team still not set up, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 09/02/2004

[5] ] Daniel’s killers are ‘agents’, Irelandclick, 26/01/2006

10-Jul-01

Geraldine Ewing

61

F

C

Civilian

Loyalists

Lisburn

Co Antrim

A disabled woman who died of heart attack hours after being ordered to leave her home on the Old Warren estate in Lisburn by a gang of 6 loyalists. The gang had threatened her family that they would be ‘burnt out’ if they did not leave.[1]

[1] Woman dies after gang attack, by Andrea McKernon, Irish News, 11 July 2001

14-Jul-01

Seamus ‘Shavo’ Hogan

47

M

U

Civilian

IRA?

Dublin

Republic of Ireland

Drug dealer struck by two shots of at least seven that were fired as he drove into the Transport Club. Mr Hogan was allegedly involved in drugs and the 1986 Beit art collection heist. He gained enemies in the 1980s when it was believed he was feeding information to the gardai.[1] He had allegedly refused to give the IRA a cut of his profits[2], and also had ongoing rows with the INLA, IRA, and criminal elements[3].

Drugs-related killing?

[1] IRA ‘may have killed’ Hogan, by Valerie Robinson, Irish News, 17 July 2001

[2] Gardai contact IRA in murder probe, by Cormac O’Keeffe, Irish Examiner, 24 July 2001

[3] Gardai have open mind as to killers of ‘Shavo’ Hogan, by Jim Cusack, Irish Times, 17 July 2001

29-Jul-01

Gavin Brett

18

M

P

Civilian

UDA / RHD

Glengormley

Co Antrim

18-year-old shot in a drive-by killing near the GAA club in Glengormley, where he was celebrating a friend’s birthday in a mixed group of young people. His killers thought he was a Catholic. A Catholic youth, Michael Farrell, was also injured in the shooting. The Red Hand Defenders claimed responsibility for the attack, but security assessments linked the shooting with the UDA, which was on ceasefire at the time.[1]

In August 2001, a 36-year-old man was charged with withholding information about the killing on 3 August 2001[2]. Two men were arrested in the murder investigation[3].

As of January 2006, no one had been charged with the murder, despite allegations that the PSNI know the identity of the killer [4]

Gerry Adams demanded that Tony Blair face  up to allegations of collusion surrounding the death [5]

[1] Loyalist ceasefire still intact, insists UDP, by Liz Trainor, Irish News, 8 August 2001

[2] Brett murder case remand, Irish News, 6 August 2001

[3] Two men arrested in Brett murder, by Frank McNamara, Irish News, 4 August 2001

[4] Wall of silence shields Gerard’s killers, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 16 July 2003

[4] Daniel’s killers are ‘agents’, Irelandclick, 26/01/2006

[5] Blair challenged over killings of catholics, U.TV, 30/07/2003

16-Aug-01

David McDowell

34

M

P

Civilian

Republicans?

West Belfast

Co Antrim

34-year-old Protestant beaten to death walking from one property to another while moving house[1].

A number of Catholic men who were shot in republican paramilitary–style attacks shortly after the killing were subsequently questioned by the police. One went into hiding after being released by the police. None were charged because police believed they had destroyed evidence crucial to a possible conviction.[2]

[1] Heartfelt grief for murdered brother, by Maeve Connolly, Irish News, 16 August 2002

[2] Suspect in murder case in hiding, UTV News, 15 August 2002

04-Sep-01

Thomas McDonald

16

M

P

Civilian

Civilian

North Belfast

Co Antrim

Teenage loyalist hit by a car while he was throwing objects at cars at a sectarian flashpoint in north Belfast. The killing came during a week of loyalist protests staged in front of a Catholic girls’ primary school (Holy Cross) near a predominantly Protestant area. The driver of the car, Alison McKeown, is a Catholic who allegedly hit Thomas McDonald and knocked him off his bicycle deliberately after he had thrown a brick at her windscreen.[1]

Alison McKeown (33 in 2003) was acquitted of the murder but convicted of manslaughter by reason of provocation and was sentenced to two years in jail and two years of probation. Community members are campaigning for a stiffer sentence through a petition to Westminster, meetings, and rallies.[2]

[1] ‘Holy Cross’ death was manslaughter, by Thomas Harding, Belfast Telegraph, 11 January 2003

[2] Petition call over killer’s sentence, by Jonathan McCambridge, Belfast Telegraph, 1 July 2003

28-Sep-01

Martin O’Hagan

51

M

C

Civilian

LVF / RHD

Lurgan

Co Armagh

Sunday World journalist murdered in a drive-by shooting while walking home from pub with his wife in Lurgan. Mr O’Hagan, whose beat was paramilitaries and crime, had coined the name ‘King Rat’ for Billy Wright and was in the process of writing a book about loyalist Robin Jackson.[1] The murder weapon used in the shooting was also used to kill Grahame Marks[2].

[1] Faith, Hate, and Murder, by Susan McKay, Guardian, 17 November 2001

[2] How the UDA kept its peace, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 13 October 2001

[3] ‘Guidance’ needed on unsolved murders, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 24 June 2003

[4] Police asked to hand over O’Hagan probe, by Jon Slattery, Press Gazette, 29/09/2005

20? Oct 01

Hugh Cameron

36

M

U

Civilian

UDA / RHD?

Glenarm

Co Antrim

Welder from Carrickfergus who disappeared after a night drinking at a bar in east Antrim town on October 20. His mutilated body, with multiple stab wounds to the head and body, was discovered in the River Skeagh four weeks later. As of April 2002, the police said that they had been unable to develop a motive or charge anyone with the murder.[1] The Irish News reported that the police were linking loyalists with the murder[2].

The murder was re-enacted for the BBC’s Crimewatch UK programme. [4]

[1] BBC to help in murder inquiry, by Patricia O’Hara, Irish News, 15 April 2002

[2] Loyalists linked to Cameron murder, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 6 December 2001

[3] Loyalists linked to Cameron murder, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 6 December 2001

[4] BBC to help in murder inquiry, by Patricia O’Hara, Irish News, 15/04/2002

29-Oct-01

Charles Folliard

30

M

P

Former UDA

Republicans

Strabane

Co Tyrone

Shot by two men while seated in his car outside his girlfriend’s home. The gunmen pushed his 16-year-old girlfriend aside and shot him six times. The gun used was a police-issue Heckler & Koch MP5, which had been missing for a year. Two police officers have since been disciplined over the disappearance of the gun. The victim had been freed three years before after spending seven years in jail over a plot to murder a Catholic workmate, and had severed his loyalist ties.[1] Police named the INLA as main suspects in the killing, even though the Continuity IRA claimed responsibility[2].

[1] Police point finger at INLA after killing of Protestant man, by Rosie Cowan, Guardian, 9 November 2001

[2] Shooting triggers INLA threat to kill top loyalists, by Liam Clarke, Sunday Times, 13 January 2002

29-Oct-01

Peter McNally

19

M

U

Civilian

Unknown

Craigavon

Co Armagh

19-year-old shot twice in the head by 2 men while sleeping in a house on the Westacres estate in Drumgor. It was believed that he was on the run from a Youth Offenders Centre and that he was the victim of a paramilitary-style attack a few months before the killing.[1] Police originally linked the killing to criminal activities rather than sectarianism[2].

[1] Two held in connection with murder, by Bimpe Fatogun, Irish News, 30 October 2001

[2] Soldier faces murder charge, BBC News, 30 October 2001

[3] Murder charge: two in custody, by Anne Madden, Irish News, 2 November 2001

[4] Second gunman acquitted in McNally murder case, Irish News, 21/01/2004

11-Nov-01

Glen Branagh

16

M

P

UDA

Self inflicted

North Belfast

Co Antrim

16-year-old member of UDA youth wing killed when a pipe bomb he was preparing to throw exploded prematurely during rioting in north Belfast. Evidence at the inquest showed the pipe bomb originated on the loyalist side of the lines, despite loyalist claims to the contrary.[1]

[1] Inquest says teenager died by own pipe bomb, by Barry McCaffrey and Kieran McDaid, Irish News, 29 April 2003

03-Dec-01

Francis (Frankie) ‘Boogaloo’ Mulholland

34

M

C

Former INLA

LVF / RHD

North Belfast

Co Antrim

Former INLA man and drugs dealer shot while sitting in stationary car opposite a petrol station on Upper Crumlin Road. Mr Mulholland was thought to have been murdered by loyalists who alleged that he had double-crossed them over a drugs deal. Cocaine was found in his vehicle. The Irish News reported that members of the UFF’s 2nd Battlion ‘C’ company were the chief suspects in the killing, though the Red Hand Defenders claimed responsibility. Mr Mulholland was on both a loyalist and a republican hit list.[1] One of the guns used to kill Mr Mulholland was also used in the murder of Billy Stobie and was linked to recent UDA/UFF violence in north Belfast[2].

[1] UFF unit ‘suspects in killing’, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 8 December 2001

[2] Stobie weapon link, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 21 December 2001

12-Dec-01

William (Billy) Stobie

51

M

P

Former UDA

UDA / RHD

North Belfast

Co Antrim

The weapon used was the same as one of the weapons used to kill Francis Mulholland and was linked to recent UDA/UFF violence in north Belfast[2].

Former UDA leader Johnny Adair was heavily investigated following the murder, although not as a suspect for he was in jail at the time. [3]

Ten days before he was killed, Stobie was warned by the PSNI that his life was at risk. Lawyers acting on his behalf requested that he be allowed to join the Key Person’s protection scheme after the case against him collapsed. [4]

The Police Ombudsman ruled that the police had done all they could to reasonably protect him. [5]

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (Dato Cumaraswamy) claimed that Stobie may have been killed by the same people who killed Patrick Finucane, as Stobie supported an independent inquiry into Finucane’s murder. [4] 

{See: http://www.birw.org/patrick%20finucane%20case.html }

[1] Taking his secrets to the grave, by Brian McCaffrey, Irish News, 13 December 2001

[2] Stobie weapon link, by Sharon O’Neill, Irish News, 21 December 2001

[3] Adair investigated over Stobie murder, Irish News, 20/10/2005

[4] Stobie was ‘silenced’ claim, by Barry McCaffrey, Irish News, 18/12/2001

[5] Police backed over killing, BBC News, 04/07/2004

12-Dec-01

Derek Lenehan

27

M

C

INLA

INLA

Forkhill

Co Armagh

Died several hours after being taken from a pub at 9:00pm on 11 December 2001, bound, shot in the thighs, and abandoned along a roadside in the Forkhill area, South Armagh. This was thought to be a punishment beating that had gone wrong.[1] A 35-year-old was also shot in the left leg but survived[2]. The murder was believed to have been linked to an internal INLA feud over the proceeds of robberies that the INLA had not yet received[3].

[1] Murder ‘was punishment attack that went wrong’, by Simon Doyle, Irish News, 13 December 2001

[2] INLA ‘may have killed Dublin man’, by Simon Doyle, Irish News¸ 13 December 2001

[3] INLA man’s killing may be linked to feud, Irish Independent, 13 December 2001