Intelligence

Six arrested over killing of 'flash' loyalist leader

Hunt for killers of senior loyalist - World - Times Online

By Philippe Naughton and agencies

Jim Gray , who was shot dead in Belfast yesterday, at the funeral of a UDA commander in 2003 (Paul Faith/PA)

Six people were being questioned today about the murder of a flamboyant loyalist terror boss shot dead at point blank range outside his Belfast home last night.

Northern Ireland police said that the six were arrested during searches following the killing of Jim Gray, the Ulster Defence Association's former "brigadier" in East Belfast.

The killers are believed to have been lying in wait outside the house for Gray, 47, to return and shot him several times as he got out of his silver car. He died at the scene shortly after 8pm and his body was left lying in the driveway of the semi-detached house beside the car.

Police sealed off the area and covered the body with a white sheet as a crowds of 30 local youths gathered.

The six suspects were being held today at the Serious Crime Suite in Antrim police station. Superintendent George Hamilton, the officer in charge of the inquiry, also confirmed that Gray’s former associates were believed to have carried out the killing.

He said: "A significant and major line of inquiry is that Mr Gray was murdered by the UDA, an organisation with which he had an association in the past."

The former paramilitary chief - nicknamed "Doris Day" because of his bleached blond hair, and heavy tan - had been released from prison on bail less than three weeks ago. He had been in custody since April facing charges involving money laundering.

At a bail hearing last month the prosecution said that the release of Gray, who had been expelled by the UDA several months ago, could lead to an outbreak of violence, as he was under paramilitary threat.

Gray had many enemies and was not a difficult target to find - his address was well known and the terms of the High Court bail set last month put him under virtual night-time curfew in his house. He had also been ordered not to leave Northern Ireland and had to report to the police five times a week.

The paramilitary chief survived a previous murder bid when he was shot in the face during a feud in 2002. He was arrested in April by detectives investigating alleged money laundering. Police allegedly found a bank draft for 10,000 euros and nearly £3,000 in cash in his car when Gray was stopped outside Banbridge, Co Down. He was believed to have been heading for the Irish border.

Police said today that Gray had been a target both in prison and since his release.

"Since Mr Gray’s arrest and retention in Maghaberry Prison in April, there has been a number of threats made against him," Mr Hamilton said. "Police have complied with our obligation in terms of advising him about these and given advice about personal security. Those threats were given to him while in prison and since his release."

But the detective denied that Gray was under police surveillance or police protection.

Despite Gray's notorious reputation, police pledged to try to hunt down the murder gang. Mr Hamilton said: "I want to be very clear about this, Mr Gray was murdered. This was the brutal killing of a man by another human being. The Police Service of Northern Ireland will fulfil its obligation in attempting to bring to justice those responsible for the murder of James Gray."

David Sharrock, Ireland Correspondent of The Times, said from Belfast today that the UDA may have ordered his killing because of rumours that he was about to turn police informer.

"He was only released on bail recently and there were rumours - the sort of rumours always generated when someone is released from police custody - that he had done some sort of deal and was going to turn informer," Sharrock said. "So it is possible that the decision was taken by the UDA to prevent him doing that."

The killing is unlikely to have any impact on the peace process but it will again highlight demands from republicans for loyalist paramilitary groups to follow the lead of the IRA and disarm.

Jim Rodgers, Ulster Unionist Assembly member for East Belfast, visited the scene of the killing and spoke to investigating police.

"It would seem at this stage the victim was getting out of his car and heading towards the house when he was mown down by the gunmen," he said.

"Regardless of what the victim has been accused of doing, no one has the right to take the law into their own hands," he added. "Murder is wrong and I would appeal for no retaliation."

Peter Robinson, Demoncratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP for East Belfast said: "This murderous attack must be condemned by all right-thinking people. Those who take the law into their own hands have nothing to contribute to society. There is no excuse for acting as judge, jury and executioner."

The DUP’s justice spokesman, Ian Paisley Jnr, condemned the killing as "another despicable murder that cannot be justified". Mr Paisley is a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board and is due to attend a board meeting today when he plans to question Ulster's Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, about the murder.

October 5, 2005 at 08:37 AM in Ireland | Permalink | Top of page | Blog Home