Politics

Latest Assembly crisis sparked by 'Jock' Davison killing

Gerard 'Jock' Davison was shot dead on May 5 in the Markets area of Belfast
Gerard 'Jock' Davison was shot dead on May 5 in the Markets area of Belfast Gerard 'Jock' Davison was shot dead on May 5 in the Markets area of Belfast

The latest crisis to engulf the Assembly was sparked by the murder of well known IRA commander Gerard "Jock" Davison as he walked to work close to Belfast city centre in May.

Here is a timeline of significant events over the past four months.

May 5 - Gerard "Jock" Davison, 47, shot dead at Welsh Street in the Markets area of Belfast. The senior republican backed Sinn Fein's peace process strategy following the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and was employed as a community development worker in his local neighbourhood.

He was linked to the fight which led to the death of father of three Robert McCartney in one of Northern Ireland's most notorious killings, but was never charged. His uncle, Terrence Davison, was later acquitted of the murder.

May 9 - Funeral for Gerard "Jock" Davison is attended by a number of high profile Sinn Fein figures. His coffin is draped in an Irish tricolour with a beret and gloves placed on top.

May 12 - PSNI say murder investigation is "challenging", but rule out dissident republican or loyalist paramilitary involvement.

May 26 - Police reveal an unusual Eastern European weapon was used in the shooting of Gerard "Jock" Davison.

August 13 - Former IRA man Kevin McGuigan, 53, gunned down close to his home at Comber Court in the Short Strand area of east Belfast.

August 18 - Four men, including Shankill bomber Sean Kelly, are arrested by detectives investigating the killing of Kevin McGuigan.

August 18 - Mourners at funeral service for Kevin McGuigan told violence and revenge do not solve problems. Former Sinn Fein lord mayor of Belfast Niall O Donnghaile, who is from the Short Strand district, the only notable political figure in attendance.

August 20 - Patrick John Fitzpatrick, 53 from the Lagmore area of Belfast, appears in court charged with possession of a weapon with intent to endanger life.

August 20 - First Minister Peter Robinson warns Sinn Fein should be expelled from Northern Ireland Executive if it is proven that the Provisional IRA was involved in the murder of one of its former members.

August 21 - PSNI Detective Superintendent Kevin Geddes says they believe Provisional IRA members were involved in the murder of Kevin McGuigan alongside Action Against Drugs (AAD) - a group that includes former IRA members, dissident republicans and criminals.

August 21 - Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams rejects allegations of IRA involvement in shooting of Kevin McGuigan and insists they left the stage in 2005.

August 22 - PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton says the IRA still exists, but is not on a "war footing". Following crunch talks with political figures at PSNI headquarters, Mr Hamilton says IRA are committed to "promoting peaceful political republicanism".

August 23 - Gerry Adams tells National Hunger Strike commemoration in Dundalk the IRA "has gone away".

August 24 - Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers says she is "not surprised" by police assessment that the IRA still exists, but says there is no evidence it is involved in terrorism.

August 25 - Ireland's Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald orders a fresh assessment of Provisional IRA activity.

August 26 - Ulster Unionist Party announces intention to resign from the Northern Ireland Assembly.