CONFLICT RELATED DEATHS
2006

Date

Name

Age

Sex

Reli-gion

Affili-ation

Alleged Perpe-trator

Location Town / Area

Location County / Country

Details

Category

Arrests / Prosecutions

Sources

03-Feb-06

Gerard Devlin

39

M

Whitecliff Parades, Ballymurphy

West Belfast

The victim was stabbed to death as he picked his children up.  Two other men, related to the victim were treated in hospital following the attack [1]

Devlin had move away from the area several months previously in an attempt to resolve a long-running dispute between himself and the Natarantonio family, which had involved several severe attacks over 3 years [2]

Following the murder, properties belonging to the Notarantonio family were attacked and set on fire.  Police searched houses, believed to be connected to the Notarantonio family [3]

The police currently state that there is nothing to suggest paramilitary involvement in the killing [4] 

The Devlin family believe the police are protecting an informer and have described the PSNI investigation as 'farcical'.  The Police Ombudsman is investigating the murder [5]

There has been ongoing violence in Ballymurphy since the murder, including petrol bombs and the non-fatal shooting of a teenager [6]

Four members of the Notarantonio family have been charged.  Paul Burns (23), Francisco Notarantonio (18), Christopher Notarantonio and his son William (21) were charged with murder and affray [1]

Christopher Notarantonio was released on bail on condition that he surrender his passport.  Following his claim that the passport was burnt during an arson attack on his home, Lord Justice Shiel has ordered that he report to police in England everyday [2]

Paul Burns was released on bail on the condition that he remains at an address in England [2]

[1] Man stabbed to death as children play in the street, Irish News, 06 February 2006

[2] Two men held over father of five's death, The Sunday Times, 05 February 2006

[3] Police probe murder 'fires link', BBC News, 05 February 2006

[4] Two more charged over Devlin killing, Irish News, 09 February 2006

[5] Police wary of passport claim, Irish News, 10 March 2006

[6] Bail for Devlin co-accused, Irish News, 16 March 2006

19-Feb-06

Thomas Hollran

49

M

UDA

Carrickfergus (Woodburn Estate)

County Antrim

Thomas Hollran was found in an alleyway with serious head and facial injuries.  He died later in hospital [1]

He had previously been ordered to leave Carrickfergus by the UDA, and his car and home had been attacked [2]

He was residing in Belfast and had returned to Carrickfergus to visit his family [3]

Three men have been arrested in connection with Hollran's murder [1]

Hollran's brother and Peter Callaghan have been charged with causing Hollran to leave his home by force, threats or menace in December 2005 [2]

[1]  Post-mortem due on murder victim, BBC News, 20 Februray 2006

[2] Terror group linked to murder probed, Belfast Telegraph, 21 February 2006

[3] UDA beat my brother to death, Irish News, 20 February 2006

[4] Arrests in town murder inquiry, BBC News, 22 February 2006

[5] Hollran brother charged, Irish News, 25 February 2006

04-April-06

Denis Donaldson

56

M

C

Sinn Fein

Glenties

County Donegal, Republic of Ireland

Denis Donaldson was found dead in his remote cottage which he had recently moved to, killed by four shotgun blasts to his chest, head and arms [1]

The IRA immediately denied any involvement in the killing.  The victims' family stated that they believed this, and instead blamed the activities of the British Intelligence [2]

Despite allegations that republicans are responsible (PIRA acting officially or individually, or dissident republicans), Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair indicated that they did not believe the killing was officially sanctioned by the IRA [3]

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain, denied that British Intelligence was involved [4]

The killing took place two days before the endeavour by Blair and Ahern to revive power-sharing in the Stormont Assembly [5]

In 2002, whilst he was Sinn Fein's head of administration, Donaldson was arrested and accused of running a Sinn Fein spy ring at Stormont, which led to the collapse of power-sharing in Northern Ireland.  After a three year legal battle, charges against him and two others were dropped in "the public interest" [6]

In 2005, Donaldson was exposed as a British spy.  After admitting that he had been a paid agent for over 20 years, Donaldson was expelled from the party and moved to a relatives' house in Donegal [7]

He was allegedly warned by the Gardai that his life might be at risk and offered him advice about personal safety.  In March 2006 the Sunday World published a photograph of his cottage [8]

The Irish News claimed that a former member of the Real IRA led the Garda to the hiding place of sledgehammer that was believed to have been used to break into Donaldson’s cottage. It was hoped that the sledgehammer would contain forensic evidence. It was also revealed that since leading the Garda to the sledgehammer, the informant had survived a murder attempt and a pipe bombing at his home in Co Donegal. (9) He has since been put into Garda protective custody. (10)

A Real IRA representative claimed that the organisation was responsible for the murder. The representative says that the seven-strong Army Council debated at length whether Donaldson should be killed, but it was decided that he should in order to show that the organisation ‘weren’t prepared to tolerate traitors’. The representative said that they waited 3 years to make an announcement in order to ensure that they had ‘executed crown force personnel’ which they had achieved at Massereene. (11)

In a Real IRA statement, the group gave the details of Donaldson’s death.  They said that on entering the cottage, there was a silent struggle but ‘he seemed to know what was coming to him’. They said that he had been under surveillance to ensure that he was alone. They said that he hadn’t been tortured or questioned. (11)

[1] Killers pumped four shots into IRA 'traitor' by Tom Brady and Anita Guidera, Irish Independent, 06 April 2006

[2] IRA 'not behind' ex-spy killing, BBC News Online, 07 April 2006

[3] Republican members suspected of killing Donaldson, by Gerry Moriarty and Dan Keenan, The Irish Times, 06 April 2006

[4] Hain: Uk intelligence not involved, Daily Mail, 06 April 2006

[5] Blair: Spy's murder will not ruin peace, by Michael Settle, The Herald, 06 April 2006

[6] The Execution: How an IRA man turned British spy met his brutal end, by David McKittrick, Independent Online, 05 April 2006

[7] Donaldson family release statement, UTV, 07 April 2006

(9) Dissident denies ‘key witness’ RIRA link, Seamus McKinney, Irish News, 17 April 2009

(10) Denis Donaldson informant kept hidden, Belfast Telegraph, 17 April 2009

(11) How Real IRA killed Denis Donaldson, Suzanne Breen, Tribune News, 14 April 2009

Steven Colwell was shot as he drove through Ballynahinch. The car he was driving was allegedly stolen and had five passengers. [1]

Initially it appeared he was shot as he had failed to stop at a checkpoint. However, an eye-witness claimed that the car had stopped in traffic (just before the checkpoint), and was unable to go forward or reverse. [2] He was not armed. [1]

He was given the last rites by a Catholic priest, because he was wearing a Celtic top. [3] He was close friends with Johnny Adair’s son. [2] However, he had suffered punishment beatings from both the UVF and UDA. He had previously served 3 years for threatening to shoot a policeman. [4]

The Police Ombudsman has begun an investigation. Sir Hugh Orde, the Chief Constable will be questioned about the incident by the Policing Board. [3]

He was originally from the Shankill Rd, but had been living in Cullybackey for several months. [5]

The PSNI officer responsible has not been suspended from duty. [6]

Mark Fitzsimmons, who had been in the car at the time of the incident, was shot and wounded less than two months later.  Fitzsimmons (22) was shot twice in the hand and leg by masked gunmen in the Lenadoon estate, West Belfast [7]

[1] Police shooting: How could it happen? Belfast Telegraph. 17.04.06

[2] Cops kill unarmed loyalist. Irish Voice.

[3] PSNI chief to be quizzed on shooting of car driver. Belfast Telegraph. 21.04.06

 [4] Adair link to fatal shooting by police. Irish News. 18.04.06

[5] Colwell funeral takes place. Ulster TV. 24.04.06

[6] Probe into shooting at checkpoint. BBC News. 18.04.06

[7] Shooting victim was death-car passenger, by Barry McCaffrey, Irish News, 05 June 2006

08-May-06

Michael McIlveen

15

M

C

Ballymena

Co-Antrim

Michael McIlveen was attacked with a friend in Ballymena, at 12.30am on Sunday 7 May 2006.  He was on his was home after buying a pizza, when he was confronted by a group, armed with a baseball bat. [1]

Michael McIlveen was chased through a number of housing estate areas and down an alleyway where he was attacked. (17) Whilst running away from the attackers, McIlveen had sought help from friends at a nearby party. (20)  Joe Lewis confronted McIlveen and his two friends in a car park in Harryville and subjected them to sectarian abuse. He was among the group who chased McIlveen into an alley and fought him there. [14]

Christopher Kerr obtained the baseball bat used in the beating from his nearby grandparent’s house.  He said that he had taken the bat to protect himself. (14)

After the attack, Joe Lewis also used the baseball bat to smash the gate of a nearby party.  (14)

Mervyn Moon was the only person to use the baseball bat to strike McIlveen. (14) He had ‘snatched the bat out of Kerr’s hands’ (18) He ‘nailed’ him with the baseball bat, swinging it overhead and also as if he were taking a golf swing. (16)

While Moon struck Michael McIlveen with the bat, the others ‘put the boot in’, in the process fracturing his skull on both sides. (16) McIlveen was kicked over 60 times (19)

In spite of the injuries, McIlveen stumbled over half a mile home. Once home, he went to bed, but his uncle Sean, thinking he was drunk, took photographs of him to embarrass him in the morning. The family did not become aware of his injuries until being told in a call that Michael had been a victim of ‘a brutal and savage attack’. (16)   His mother then called an ambulance. (2)

McIlveen died the following day as a result of a fractured skull and a blot clot in his brain. (16) 

The police treated the attack as sectarian.  [3]

Accusations against certain young individuals appeared on www.bebo.com shortly after the attack [5]

DUP leader Ian Paisley was invited to the funeral. [6]

Two 15 year-old girls were arrested for threatening a girl. The girl, who was a friend of Michael McIlveen's, was subjected to sectarian abuse. [7]

More than 1000 people attended the funeral, with many wearing Celtic and Rangers shirts to demonstrate cross-community solidarity [8]

5 people were questioned in relation to the attack, including one juvenile [4]

The five were charged with the murder: Aaron Wallace, 18, Christopher Kerr, 19, an unnamed 15-year-old and two unnamed 17-year-olds. [8]

Two more teenagers, aged 15 and 16, were charged in connection with the murder.  The 15-year-old was charged with murder, and the 16-year- old with affray. [9]

Death threats were issued against seven of those initially charged with the murder [11]

A bail application for Mervyn Moon, one of the accused, was refused. [12] However, Aaron Wallace was released on bail in November 2006 [13]

In total, seven men were charged with various offences by the police, including:

Christopher Kerr, 22. Christopher Kerr obtained the baseball bat used in the beating from his nearby grandparent’s house.  He had kicked McIlveen during the attack. He said that he was drunk and had taken a lot of diazepam.  He was the only defendant to testify.  Kerr was convicted of murder on 25/2/09.

Jeff Lewis, 19. Lewis had attacked McIlveen in an alleyway. Lewis was convicted of murder.

Aaron Wallace, 20. Wallace had kicked McIlveen in the alleyway. Wallace had gone to the police station voluntarily after the attack. Despite having a Catholic fiancé, he was known to organise fights with young Catholics in the area.  He was convicted of murder.

Mervyn Moon, 20.  Moon was the only person to strike McIlveen with a baseball bat.  He had also repeatedly kicked McIlveen.  He was convicted of murder.

Christopher McLeister, 18.  He was a local boxing champion.  He was convicted of manslaughter.

Peter McMullan, 18.  He was the youngest of the defendants, aged 15 at the time of the murder.  He was convicted of criminal damage for destroying a fence.

Paul Henson, 18.  Only defendant not originally charged with murder. Convicted of affray and criminal damage. (14)

PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde asked the Attorney General to review the leniency of the sentences. Mr Justice Treacy said the maximum any of those convicted of murder should serve is 13 years. (15)

[1] Youth (15) beaten in sectarian attack dies, Irish Times, 09 May 2006

[2] Now its murder, Belfast Telegraph, 09 May 2006

[3] Murder probe as attacked boy dies, BBC News, 08 May 2006

[4] Five quizzed over Ballymena school boy murder, Ulster TV, 09 May 2006

[5] Hateful chat flares on student websites in wake of death, Irish Independent, 10 May 2006

[6] Family tells ‘supportive’ Paisley he’s welcome at Michael’s funeral,  Irish Independent,  12 May 2006

[7] Michael: Two teenage girls are arrested over sectarian threat. Belfast Telegraph, 13 May 2006

[8] Jeers as five teenagers accused of school boy’s murder charged,  Irish Independent, 12 May 2006

[9] Two more teens charged in relation to Ballymena murder, Irish News, 15 May 2006

[10] 'Sectarian' victim laid to rest, BBC News, 18 May 2006

[11] McIlveen suspects ‘under threat’, BBC News, 29 August 2006

[12] McIlveen accused held on remand, Irish News, 8 December 2006

[13] Teen murder accused granted bail, BBC News, 13 November 2006

 [14] Seven held days after killing – four now convicted of murder, Maeve Connolly, BBC News, 26 Feb 2009

[15] Orde challenges leniency of sentences in McIlveen killing, Allison Morris, Irish News, 8 May 2009

[16] McIlveen’s family finally see his killers convicted, Belfast Telegraph, 26 Feb 2009

[17] Teen ‘gone but not forgotten’, Karen Atkinson, BBC News, 25 Feb 2009

[18] I lied to police, McIlveen accused admits in court, Maeve Connolly, BBC News, 27 Jan 2009

[19] McIlveen kicked 60 times, says witness, Belfast Telegraph, 13 Nov 2008

[20] Shouts of help before Michael was murdered, Maeve Connolly, Irish News, 7 Oct 2008

29-July-06

Ronald Mackie

36

M

P

Tobemore

Co. Londonderry

Ronald Mackie had travelled to Northern Ireland to attend an Orange Order parade. It is believed a dispute occurred during a disco at Tobermore United Football Club. [1]

Mackie was assaulted by a gang of men, and then intentionally placed in the road. [2] He was hit by a red car, with a passenger on board the vehicle. [2]

The driver of the car which hit Mackie is believed to have stopped for a short time, before leaving again. [4]

Around 30 people are believed to have witnessed the attack. [3]

The UVF are suspected of being involved – the dispute was allegedly with a local loyalist commander, and the disco was a loyalist fundraiser. [5]

Seven men have been questioned regarding the attack. Of those, one has been arrested and released on bail, two have been released without charge, three have been charged in connection with the murder.[6] [7] [8]

On 7 August 2006, a fourth man was charged with the murder. [9]

Two women were arrested in September in connection with withholding information about the murder. [10]

[1] Three held in NI probe. Ulster Tv. 02.08.06

[2] Man is arrested in murder inquiry. BBC News. 30.07.06

[3] Thirty people may have seen attack on Scot in Londonderry. The Herald. 01.08.06

[4] Five held in NI murder probe. Ulster TV. 31.07.06

[5] Battered to Death by UVF. Daily Ireland. 01.08.06

[6] Four still questioned on murder. BBC News. 01.08.06

[7] Third man to face murder charge. BBC News. 03.08.06

[8] Teenager arrested in murder probe. BBC News. 03.08.06

[9] Fourth man charged with Mackie murder, Ulster Tv, 07.08.06

[10] Murder officers arrest two women, BBC News, 13 September 2006

22-Aug-06

Mark Christie

36

M

UDA/UVF

Owen Roe Drive, Kilcooley Estate, Bangor

County Down, NI

Mark Christie was found at 11:30pm [1]

He had been chased from behind a house and caught by a gang of six men, before being hacked to death in the middle of the street. A machete, screwdrivers and a hatchet were believed to have been used [2]

Christie had previously been ordered to stay away from the estate by loyalist paramilitaries. It is believed he had returned to the estate to see his girlfriend.[3]

Two men were arrested and questioned about the murder [4]

Four men were questioned about the murder. All were released without charge.[5]

Two further men were arrested in connection with the murder; and subsequently released [6]

Three men were arrested in County Down and released without charge.[7]

[1] Murder victim 'hacked to death', BBC News, 23.08.06

[2] Cocaine abuser brutally hacked to death by gang, Belfast Telegraph, 24.08.06

[3] Police quiz two over murder, Belfast Telegraph

[4] Loyalists blamed for hacking Bangor drug dealer to death, Irish News, 25.08.06

[5] Fourth man freed in murder probe, BBC News, 26.08.06

[6] Pair are released in murder probe, BBC News, 15.09.06

[7] Three held over murder released, BBC News, 30.01.07

10-Nov-06

Thomas O'Hare

33

M

Foley road, Tassagh

Keady, County Armagh

Six men entered the home shared by Thomas O’Hare and Lisa McClatchey on 7 November 2006, doused them in a flammable liquid and set them on fire.[1] 

Subsequently, four brothers were admitted to hospitals in County Louth with serious burns.[1] 

It appeared that Thomas O’Hare and Lisa McClatchey had both been beaten with hammers before the attack. [4] 

The PSNI wished to speak to anyone who had information about a number of cars seen in the area. [5]

The police raided a house in Clady and took items away for examination. [2]  A 43 year old man was arrested, and charged with perverting the course of justice and withholding information. [3]

A woman was questioned about the attack. [7]  

A 24 year old man was questioned in relation to the murders and released on bail. [8]

The police were waiting to speak with four brothers whom were injured in the incident. They were waiting until the men’s injuries had improved. [9]

The four men had fled to the Republic following the fire.  After checking out of hospital in Dublin, the men failed to return to their homes in Northern Ireland. The police are now considering extradition. [10]

The father of the men, Colum Smith, appeared in court in February 2007, accused of taking people he believed were guilty of attempted murder, out of the jurisdiction. [10]

[1] Possible fire link being examined, BBC News, 8.11.2006

[2] Fireball couple fighting for lives, Belfast Telegraph, 09. 11. 2006

[3] Man faces court over fire killing, BBC News, 12.11.2006

[4] Fire couple ‘beaten’ court hears, BBC News, 14.11.2006

[5] Tributes to blaze attack victim, BBC News, 15.11.2006

[6] Arson attack victim Lisa is critically ill, Belfast Telegraph, 14.11.2006

[7] Woman arrested after Armagh attack, Ulster TV, 18.11.2006

[8] Man quizzed over deaths is bailed, BBC News, 19.11.2006

[9] Brothers still not questioned about fire deaths of couple. The Irish News. 9.08.2007

[10] Blaze Killings: Police may seek brothers’ extradition. The Belfast Telegraph. 10.08.2007

15-Nov-06

Lisa McClatchey

21

F

Foley road, Tassagh

Keady, County Armagh

Six men entered the home shared by Thomas O’Hare and Lisa McClatchey on 7

November 2006, doused them in a flammable liquid and set them on fire.[1] 

Subsequently, four brothers were admitted to hospitals in County Louth with serious burns.[1] 

It appeared that Thomas O’Hare and Lisa McClatchey had both been beaten with hammers before the  attack. [4] 

The PSNI wished to speak to anyone who had information about a number of cars seen in the area. [5]

Lisa McClatchey was the step-grandaughter of former District Master of Portadown Orange Lodge. [6]

The police were waiting to speak with four brothers whom were injured in the incident. They were waiting until the men’s injuries had improved [9]

The four men had fled to the Republic following the fire.  After checking out of hospital in Dublin, the men failed to return to their homes in Northern Ireland. The police are now considering extradition. [10]

The father of the men, Colum Smith, appeared in court in February 2007, accused of taking people he believed were guilty of attempted murder, out of the jurisdiction. [10]

The police raided a house in Clady and took items away for examination. [2] 

A 43 year old man was arrested, and charged with perverting the course of justice and withholding information. [3]

A woman was questioned about the attack. [7]  

A 24 year old man was questioned in relation to the murders and released on bail. [8]

[1] Possible fire link being examined, BBC News, 8.11.2006

[2] Fireball couple fighting for lives, Belfast Telegraph, 09. 11. 2006

[3] Man faces court over fire killing, BBC News, 12.11.2006

[4] Fire couple ‘beaten’ court hears, BBC News, 14.11.2006

[5] Tributes to blaze attack victim, BBC News, 15.11.2006

[6] Arson attack victim Lisa is critically ill, Belfast Telegraph, 14.11.2006

[7] Woman arrested after Armagh attack, Ulster TV, 18.11.2006

[8] Man quizzed over deaths is bailed, BBC News, 19.11.2006

[9] Brothers still not questioned about fire deaths of couple. The Irish News. 9.08.2007

[10] Blaze Killings: Police may seek brothers’ extradition. The Belfast Telegraph. 10.08.2007