Northern Ireland

Families say truth about Michael Stone's activities may never be known

Michael Stone is restrained and disarmed by security staff in Parliament Buildings in 2006. Picture by Mal McCann
Michael Stone is restrained and disarmed by security staff in Parliament Buildings in 2006. Picture by Mal McCann Michael Stone is restrained and disarmed by security staff in Parliament Buildings in 2006. Picture by Mal McCann

THE brother of a man killed by loyalist Michael Stone has said he doesn't believe they'll ever find out the truth about who helped him plan and carry out the attack at Milltown cemetery.

Father-of-two John Murray (26) was one of three people killed when the former UDA man launched a gun and grenade attack on a funeral at the west Belfast cemetery in March 1988.

Peter Murray said the family have been "deeply hurt" by his release from prison just days before what would have been his brother's 60th birthday.

Around 60 people were injured when Stone attacked mourners, firing shots and throwing hand grenades during the funerals of three IRA members killed by the SAS in Gibraltar.

As well as Mr Murray, Thomas McErlean (20) and Caoimhín Mac Brádaigh (30) died during the attack.

Stone's other victims during the Troubles were milkman Patrick Brady, who was murdered in south Belfast in 1984, joiner Kevin McPolin, who was shot in Lisburn in 1985, and bread delivery man Dermott Hackett, shot dead by loyalists near Omagh in 1987.

He was released on parole from Maghaberry prison on Tuesday afternoon and is believed to be living in north Down with his wife Karen, who he married in 2016 whilst in prison.

A solicitor last night said an emergency judicial review application on behalf of a victim's relative will seek to challenge the lawfulness of the decision to free him.

It will also challenge rules governing hearings before parole commissioners.

Paul Farrell of McIvor Farrell Solicitors said: “This case is of huge importance not only to the victims of Michael Stone and their families but also it will have huge ramifications with regard to the future of parole hearings in Northern Ireland.”

The case is listed before the High Court in Belfast this morning.

Stone was previously released in 2000 under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement on life licence.

Mr Murray said his family had accepted that at the time as part of the peace agreement.

However, the loyalist had his licence revoked and was returned to prison in 2006 after entering Stormont armed with explosives and an axe in an attempt to murder Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.

"I was in favour of Good Friday Agreement, but it came with rules and when someone breaks those rules they should have to serve the rest of their time," Mr Murray said.

Last November a court ruled that Stone should be eligible for parole and that the six years he was free from prison counted towards his 30-year sentence.

It meant the 66-year-old, who was due to remain behind bars until 2024, was eligible to apply for parole - which he did successfully earlier this week.

Families were informed that Stone was to appear in front of the parole commissioners.

There was a last-minute attempt to prevent the hearing and seek an immediate halt to the process pending an appeal to the Supreme Court, but this was refused.

While it is understood there was an effort to contact family members of the bereaved, some relatives only discovered he'd walked free after being contacted by the media.

Mr Murray said: "We were aware his hearing was coming up but not the exact time. We got a call two or three days ago, but then we all heard he'd been released on the news which was despicable.

"No matter what we're very disappointed.

"We accepted his release was part of the agreement and we try and keep him out of our minds as much as possible. If something happens next week, being the attention seeker that he is, we'll have to deal with that.

"John is always in our minds and always will be. He would have been 60 in a few days.

"The truth is important, where did he get the weapons etc, a lay man could see there was collusion.

"But I don't think we'll every find out the truth. When you look at what other families have been through, there is always delay and deny - we don't expect any different."