Northern Ireland

PSNI link IRA to Kevin McGuigan's murder

Kevin McGuigan (right) was gunned down outside his home last week. Patrick Gerard Fitzpatrick (bottom left) was remanded in custody at Lisburn Magistrates Court following his arrest and charge by officers hunting the killers of Mr McGuigan. His funeral was held yesterday (top left)
Kevin McGuigan (right) was gunned down outside his home last week. Patrick Gerard Fitzpatrick (bottom left) was remanded in custody at Lisburn Magistrates Court following his arrest and charge by officers hunting the killers of Mr McGuigan. His funeral wa Kevin McGuigan (right) was gunned down outside his home last week. Patrick Gerard Fitzpatrick (bottom left) was remanded in custody at Lisburn Magistrates Court following his arrest and charge by officers hunting the killers of Mr McGuigan. His funeral was held yesterday (top left)

POLICE believe members of the Provisional IRA were involved in last week's murder of senior Belfast republican Kevin McGuigan.

Mr McGuigan was suspected by some in the republican movement of involvement in the murder of former IRA leader Gerard "Jock" Davison in the nearby Markets area of Belfast three months ago.

There has been widespread speculation the 53-year-old's killing was a revenge attack by Mr Davison's one-time republican associates, which could have major implications for the peace process.

Speaking today, Det Supt Kevin Geddes said he believed the murder was carried out by the IRA but had "no information at this stage" that the killing was sanctioned by IRA leadership

Det Supt Geddes linked the killing to a group called Action Against Drugs who he said are "a separate group from the Provisional IRA."

He said this group comprised violent dissident republicans, criminal elements, and former IRA members.

Det Supt Geddes said: "My assessment is that Action Against Drugs are a group of individuals who are criminals, and violent dissident republicans and former members of the Provisional IRA.

"They are dangerous, they are involved in violence and extortion of the nationalist and republican communities and they have a criminal agenda."

"A major line of inquiry for this investigation is that members of the Provisional IRA were involved in this murder." The detective said he had "no information at this stage" to say if the killing was sanctioned at leadership level.

He appealed for calm and no retaliation.

In the wake of Mr McGuigan's murder, Stormont's First Minister Peter Robinson warned Sinn Fein it would face expulsion from the power-sharing Executive if the IRA was responsible.

Mr McGuigan's relatives have used social media to accuse the IRA.

However, Sinn Fein has rejected the suggestion of IRA involvement.

A man charged with possession of a pistol by detectives investigating Mr McGuigan's murder remains a suspect in the killing, a court heard today.

Patrick Gerard Fitzpatrick (53) was remanded in custody at Lisburn Magistrates Court following his arrest and charge by officers hunting the killers of the father-of-nine.

Two other men arrested over Mr McGuigan's murder - aged 26 and 49 - continue to be questioned in police custody.

Three other men - including IRA Shankill bomber Sean Kelly - and a woman have been released unconditionally.