CONFLICT RELATED DEATHS
2008

Date

Name

Age

Sex

Reli-gion

Affili-ation

Alleged Perpe-trator

Location Town / Area

Location County / Country

Details

Category

Arrests / Prosecutions

Sources

Mr Burns had left home less than an hour before he was found by 4 teenagers 800yrds from the church car park in Doneyloop. Two shots were heard coming from the car park at around 7.30pm and it is believed he dragged himself from there to the road after being shot. [1]

Gardai believe those responsible escaped in a silver car. A silver Rover was later found burnt out near Londonderry [2] Two cars were being sought in connection with the attack[3]

Police believe he may have been killed by dissident republicans [1] The Real IRA, the Continuity IRA and the INLA denied being involved. [4]

Police were also investigating a possible criminal involvement. [3]

It was alleged that Mr Burns had been a member of the Real IRA. [5] He had survived a shooting several years ago- possibly a punishment due to his refusal to co-operate with an internal investigation into criminal behaviour by RIRA members.[6] Following that attack, he is believed to have left the Real IRA and joined a breakaway group- Oglaigh na hEireann [7]

Oglaigh na hEireann are alleged to be responsible for the murder.[8] Andrew Burns was allegedly targeted because he was believed to be a British agent. Suspicion had stayed with him after he went public in 2006 and reported that Special Branch had been attempting to recruit him.[9]

His photograph was published in the Daily Ireland newspaper alongside his claims. [11]

Another suggestion was that he was suspected of links with criminal gangs connected to loyalists. [9]

Three men from the Strabane area were arrested in connection with the murder on February 22^nd 2008 and held at Antrim Serious Crime Suite. [10]

The men were later released without charge. [12]

[1)] Man shot dead in Co Donegal, Ulster TV, 13 February 2008

[2] Murdered man ‘had been abducted’, BBC News 24, 13 February 2008

[3] Gardai travel north to discuss killing, Seamus McKinney, Irish News, 14 February 2008

[4] Border murder group told to disband, Will Ellison, Belfast Telegraph, 14 February 2008

[5] Member of Real IRA found shot dead in churchyard, Henry McDonald, The Guardian, 14 February 2008

[6] Small,splinter dissident group behind murder, Suzanne Breen, Sunday Tribune, 17 February 2008

[7] Dissident group ‘riddled with informers’- claim, Derry Journal, 15 February 2008

[8] Man ‘targeted by killers’ fled four weeks ago, Seamus McKinney and Allison Morris, The Irish News, 15 February 2008

[9] Dissident victim’s claim over cops tout approach, Stephen Breen, Belfast Telegraph, 17 February 2008

[10] Three arrested after murder, Ulster TV, 22 February 2008

[11] Murder suspect had made informer claim, Seamus McKinney, The Irish News, 23^rd February 2008

[12] Men released without charge in murder probe, Newsletter, 23 February 2008

Emmett Shiels was shot by a group of masked men at Bligh’s Lane in the Creggan area in at around 1am [1]; while intervening on behalf of a group of youths who were being threatened by a group of armed men. [10]

He later died in hospital from a wound to his chest/abdomen. [2]

The police believed five or six people were involved; and they claimed to know who they were and urged them to come forward. [4]

A possible link to paramilitary death threats issued to four Derry men was being investigated. [5]

According to the media it was rumoured that dissident republicans were responsible for the killing.[6]  The INLA denied responsibility. [7]

The 32 County Sovereignty Movement denied the involvement of the Real IRA.[8]

Detectives were reported to believe that the group of men involved in the murder were INLA members. [9]

The police carried out searches at Strand Road in Derry on 24 June 2008. [11]

The police examined a car which may be linked to the murder. [12]

The group responsible for the killing was caught on CCTV cameras. [13] 

Local people suggested people close to the INLA were involved in the murder. [14]

On 25 June the IRSP met with a brother of Emmett Shiels to discuss the murder. [15]

Security and republican sources reportedly believe teenage INLA members were involved in the murder. [20]

The families of two men questioned in relation to the murder had to move house after intimidation and threats.  A number of other people have also received death threats. [21]

The Derry Brigade of the INLA reportedly claimed a well known drug dealer was behind the alleged threats. [22]

Two men turned themselves in to the PSNI on 24 June 2008 and were arrested and questioned. [10]

A 33-year-old man was released without charge on 26 June 2008.  Another man remained in custody [16], but was later released without charge. [16]

The police were reported to be questioning three male youths aged 16, 17 and 18 and an 18-year-old woman in connection with the murder. [17]

The 18-year old female (Nadine Kelly [24]) was charged with perverting the course of justice (providing a false alibi )[18]

18-year-old Gary Meenan from Derry was charged with the killing of Emmett Shiels and firearm offences. It was believed he did not fire the shots, but was part of the gang. He denied charges. [19]

The other male youths were released without charge. [19]

[1] Police seek gang who shot innocent man, Belfast Telegraph, 25 June 2008.

[2] Vigil held after ‘innocent man’ gunned down, by Seamus McKinney, Irish News, 25 June 2008.

[3] ‘Let Emmett’s death be the last,’ by Clare Weir, Belfast Telegraph, 28 june 2008.

[4] Police ‘know’ Derry man’s killers, BBC News, 25 June 2008.

[5] Vigil held after ‘innocent man’ gunned down, by Seamus McKinney, Irish News, 25 June 2008.

[6] INLA gunmen suspected of brutal murder of pizza delivery man, Irish Examiner, 25 June 2008.

 [7] Vigil held after ‘innocent man’ gunned down, by Seamus McKinney, Irish News, 25 June 2008.

[8] Real IRA deny Sheils [sic] murder, Derry Journal, 26 June 2008.

[9] Dead man’s family make appeal for no retaliation, by George Jackson, Irish Times, 26 June 2008.

[10] Two questioned over pizza man’s killing, by Seamus McKinney, Irish News, 26 June 2008.

[11] Two questioned over pizza man’s killing, by Seamus McKinney, Irish News, 26 June 2008.

[[12] Man held over city death released, BBC News, 26 June 2008.

[13] Derry murder inquiry focuses on CCTV, Irish Times, 26 June 2008.

[14] ‘Let Emmett’s death be the last,’ Belfast Telegraph, 30 June 2008.

[15] IRSP meeting on killing, Irish News, 28 June 2008.

[16] Man released in Derry murder inquiry, Irish Times, 29 June 2008.

[17] Four teenagers held over Emmett Sheils  murder, Belfast Telegraph, 1 July 2008

[18] Woman charged over Shiels murder, BBC News, 2 July 2008.

[19] Man in court over Emmett Shiels murder, BBC News, 5 July 2008.

[20] Northern Ireland: unlikely allies unite against dissident republicans, Henry McDonald, www.guardian.co.uk, 4 July 2008.

[21] Families rehoused amid threats to men questioned in Shiels case, by Seamus McKinney, Irish News, 10 July 2008.

[22] Drug dealer behind threats – INLA, Derry Today, 11 July 2008.