TWO BROTHERS were remanded in custody at Belfast Magistrates' Court yesterday accused of murdering a man during a bloody loyalist paramilitary feud nearly eight years ago.
David Stewart (38) and Robert Stewart (34) were charged over the shooting of alleged UDA member Tommy English. The pair also faced another three charges each of membership of the Ulster Volunteer Force on dates between 1994 and this year.
Their case is the first to be brought to court by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET), a specialist police unit set up to investigate unsolved murders throughout the Northern conflict.
Mr English (40) was gunned down in front of his wife at their home on the Ballyduff Estate, Newtownabbey in October 2000. His killing was part of a shooting war between rival loyalist factions which claimed seven lives.
David Stewart, a social worker from Ballyearl Crescent, Newtownabbey; and Robert Stewart, Carntall Rise, Newtownabbey, spoke only to confirm they understood the charges during a brief court appearance.
A detective inspector investigating the case said she could connect them to the offences.
With no application for bail, District Judge Fiona Bagnall remanded both men in custody to appear again via video link on September 4th.