Northern Ireland

Adrian Ismay murder trial: Accused 'unaware of incident'

Christopher Robinson denies killing Mr Ismay
Christopher Robinson denies killing Mr Ismay Christopher Robinson denies killing Mr Ismay

A WEST Belfast man arrested after a bomb detonated under a prison officer's van said he had no knowledge of the incident, a court heard yesterday.

Christopher Robinson (49), of Aspen Park in Twinbrook, is standing trial for the murder of Adrian Ismay in 2016. He denies all the charges against him.

Mr Ismay (52), father-of-three, died 11 days after a bomb detonated under his van close to his Hillsborough Drive home in east Belfast.

Belfast Crown Court yesterday heard Mr Robinson was interviewed 16 times under caution between March 7 and 11.

During the interviews he spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and that he understood the nature of his arrest.

He also requested an appropriate adult due to mental health issues.

The prosecutor said that apart from two short statements, Mr Robinson refused to answer questions over the course of the interviews.

In his statement, Mr Robinson confirmed he had been arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of an off-duty prison officer, but said: "I have no knowledge of this incident, nor did I have involvement in it."

He also confirmed he knew Mr Ismay as they were both members of St John's Ambulance based on Belfast's Saintfield Road, and that Mr Ismay had been his senior officer.

He said they had a "good relationship" but had not kept in touch after Mr Ismay left some years previous.

Mr Robinson said he had never been to Mr Ismay's home, had "no knowledge" of the car he was driving, and said the first time he became aware of an attack on an off-duty prison officer was when he heard it on the news.

In a second statement, Mr Robinson denied he was a dissident republican.

"I am not, I never have been, nor will I be a member of a proscribed organisation. I deny I am an active member of the New IRA," he said.

The trial continues.