Two republicans suspected of the sectarian murder of a taxi driver in northBelfast were targeted in punishment shootings shortly after the killing, aninquest heard today.
A senior police officer told the inquest into the death of Trevor Kell that aman arrested by police in connection with the murder and another man which officerswished to question were shot in the legs by republicans.
Detective Chief Superintendent John Brannigan said police believed disaffectedrepublicans murdered Mr Kell at a time when sectarian tensions were running highin the area.
Mr Kell (35) from Torrens Drive in north Belfast, was shot once in the head atpoint blank range when he went to pick up a fare on Hesketh Road in the Glenbrynarea on December 5th, 2000.
His brother, Grant, told Belfast Coroner's Court Mr Kell was shot dead on onlyhis second night working for Circle Taxis.
Det Chief Supt Brannigan said Mr Kell was targeted simply because he was aProtestant man working for a Protestant taxi firm.
"This was a purely random sectarian murder," he said."Those responsible wanted to kill a Protestant."
A phonecall was made to Circle Taxis from a public phonebox calling for a cabto take a fare from an address in Hesketh Road to the Mater Hospital shortlyafter 11 p.m. on the night of the murder.
Det Chief Supt Brannigan said police believed the attacker or attackers hadwaited for Mr Kell to arrive, before escaping on foot to the nearby nationalistArdoyne area.
"There was no claim of responsibility and that's still the position," hesaid.
PA