Former loyalist paramilitary admits 200 charges including multiple murders

By David Hunter

A Loyalist Supergrass has plead guilty to an unprecedented 200 charges in court today, including five murders, five attempted murders and 66 firearm offences.

Gary Haggarty admitted the UVF activity in north Belfast and south east Antrim through the 1990s and 2000s - as part of a deal with the state.

The 45 year old appeared at Belfast Crown Court this morning amid heavy security.

He's been in a witness protection programme since signing the deal in 2010. 

He's given more than 1,000 police interviews re-counting his own criminality, and other offences he knew about as a senior paramilitary.

The PPS now hold files on three civilian cases placing more than 14 other Loyalist suspects under investigation as a result.

Another file has been reffered from the Police Ombudsman as Haggarty's also offered to give evidence against a number of ex- police officers he's accused of collusion.

As well as the 200 offences Haggarty has admitted, the courts will consider more than 300 other related and non related criminal elements when it comes to his sentence. 

The investigation has lasted more than seven years and is one of the largest ever conducted by the PSNI.

Detective Superintendent Richard Campbell, said: “The Police Service has been investigating a series of murders and other serious crimes by the UVF in north Belfast since 2010, following investigations and reports by the Police Ombudsman and the Historical Enquiries Team.

“Today’s court proceedings are a milestone for the victims, their families and also for the police investigation.

He continued “Gary Haggarty has pleaded guilty to a total of 200 serious offences, including five murders, one aiding and abetting murder, five attempted murders, 23 counts of conspiracy to murder, a number of offences under the Terrorism Act including directing terrorism and being a member of a proscribed organisation, namely the UVF, four kidnaps, hi-jackings, false imprisonment, possession of firearms and ammunition, and possession of, and making, explosives.

“It has been a very long, arduous and painful process for these families and I hope today’s proceedings have made a significant contribution to the process of ultimately bringing closure to all the families of the victims.

“The PSNI remains committed to moving forward and working with the PPS in relation to the next stages of the investigation into Mount Vernon UVF and others who were involved with committing these offences.

Because he's served time in police custody, combined with a guilty plea and offering testaments, Haggarty could see a significant reduction off what's likely to be an already hefty sentence. 

Many of the offences took place after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement so will not be subject to similar early release schemes offered for offences before the deal.

In addition to the murder and attempted murder charges Haggarty pleaded guilty to 23 conspiracies to murder and four counts of directing terrorism.

He was given five life sentences for the murders, but will be significantly reduced as he is an assisting offender under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act.

The five murder charges related to the deaths of John Harbinson in 1997, Sean McParland in 1994, Eamon Fox and Gary Convie in the same year, and Sean McDermott, also in 1994.

THE 200 CHARGES:

Five counts of murder contrary to Common Law

Five counts of attempted murder contrary to Article 3(1) of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 and Common Law.

One count of aiding and abetting murder contrary to Common Law

Twenty three counts of conspiracy to murder contrary to Article 9(1) of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 and Common Law

Four counts of Kidnap contrary to Common Law

Six counts of False Imprisonment contrary to Common Law

Five counts of Hijack contrary to section 2(1)(a) of the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975

Forty seven counts of Possession of firearms and ammunition with intent contrary to Article 17 of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

Nineteen counts of possession of firearms and ammunition with intent contrary to Article 58(1) of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004

One count of carrying an imitation firearm with criminal intent contrary to Article 19(1)  of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

One count of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence  contrary to Article 17A of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

One count of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent contrary to Article 9(1) of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 and Article 17 of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

Two counts of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent contrary to Article 9(1) of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 and Article 58(1) of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004

Nine counts of possession of explosives with intent contrary to section 3(1)(b) of the Explosive Substances Act 1883

One count of possession of explosives under suspicious circumstances contrary to section 4(1) of the Explosive Substances Act 1883

One count of making explosives contrary to section 3(1)(b) of the Explosive Substances Act 1883

Five counts of membership of a proscribed organisation, namely, the UVF, as specified at count numbers 6-10

Four counts of directing terrorism as specified at counts 11-14

Seven counts of possession of articles for use in terrorism as specified at counts 44, 155, 160, 191, 198, 202 and 208

Three counts of use of terrorist property contrary to section 16(1) of the Terrorism Act 2000

Seven counts of possession of terrorist property contrary to section 16(2) of the Terrorism Act 2000

Four counts of possession of information likely to be of use to terrorists as specified at counts 104, 143, 189 and 212

Two counts of aggravated burglary contrary to section 10(1) of the Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969

Eighteen counts of wounding with intent contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861

Three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act

Two counts of conspiracy to wound with intent contrary to Article 9(1) of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 and section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861

One count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861

One count of common assault contrary to Common Law and section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861

Three counts of arson with intent contrary to Article 3(1) and (3) of the Criminal Damage (Northern Ireland) Order 1977

One count of criminal damage contrary to Article 3(1) of the Criminal Damage (Northern Ireland) Order 1977

One count of conspiracy to rob contrary to section 8(1) of the Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 and Article 9(1) of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

One count of possession of an offensive weapon contrary to Article 22(1) of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987

Two counts of conspiracy to defraud contrary to Common Law

One count of converting criminal property contrary to Article 47(1)(b) of the Proceeds of Crime (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

One count of Assisting Offenders contrary to section 4(1) of the Criminal Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1967

One count of intimidation contrary to section 1(d) of the Protection of Person and Property Act (Northern Ireland) 1969

One count of conspiracy to riot contrary to Article 9 of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 and Common Law