A man accused of murdering a leading loyalist during a feud in Belfast nearly a decade ago strenuously denied the charge, a court was told today.
Darren Stuart Moore (39), of Mount Vernon Park in north Belfast appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court charged with murdering Ulster Defence Association member Tommy English in October 2000.
He was also charged with two counts of membership of the Ulster Volunteer Force.
The charges were brought by the Historical Enquiries team and a member of the team told the court that when charged last night Moore strenuously denied being responsible and insisted he was not guilty.
However, the officer said he believed he could connect Mr Moore to the murder.
Questioned by a defence solicitor, he agreed there was no forensic evidence and the accused had previously been interviewed about the murder in both 2000 and 2004 and had been released without charge.
He said the evidence was based on statements from two men who had also been charged with the murder.
Last week former leading loyalist Mark Haddock was charged with the murder. The court was told the evidence against him was based on information given to the police by two brothers already charged with the murder.
Haddock is currently in Northern Ireland's top security Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim where he is nearing the end of a 10-year sentence for an attack on a nightclub doorman.
Mr English was shot dead in front of his wife and children in their north Belfast home. He was one of several people to die during the feud between the UDA and UDF.
Mr Moore was remanded in custody to appear via video-link on January 21st.
A large force of armed police was in the court building when the accused appeared.
PA