News

Haggarty admits shooting man charged with killing

ONE of the men 'supergrass' Gary Haggarty will give evidence against was also shot by the loyalist leader. Mark 'Gutsy' Campbell (42) of Canning Place, north Belfast is charged with the murders of Gary Convie and Eamon Fox in north Belfast in May 1994.

James Smyth (48) of Forthriver Link, Belfast, is also charged with the sectarian murders of the two workmen.

Mr Convie (24) and Mr Fox (44) were gunned down as they sat eating lunch in a car at a North Queen Street building site.

Campbell and Smyth are charged on the basis of evidence provided by Gary Haggarty who has admitted to having the Sten sub-machine gun used prior to the attack.

Campbell is alleged to have driven the getaway van used to take the gunman from the scene.

If convicted, both men will only serve two years in prison under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement as the shootings were carried out before 1998.

However, as part of his 10,000-page confession the loyalist 'supergrass' has also admitted involvement in the malicious wounding of Campbell.

The punishment-style shooting is alleged to have been ordered in response to an 'unsanctioned' shooting that took place while Haggarty was out of the country. Campbell is on bail and banned from having any contact with witnesses in the case.