A senior English police officer has travelled to Northern Ireland to appeal for public assistance in apprehending those responsible for the attempted murder of an RUC informer, Mr Martin McGartland. Det Supt Chris Symonds, of Northumbria Police, told a press conference in Belfast that detectives were particularly seeking three men, with Irish or Scottish accents, who they believe were involved in the murder attempt.
He said police might also have a DNA profile of one of the gang behind the gun attack on Mr McGartland in Whitley Bay last June. Mr McGartland was struck several times but survived.
Mr McGartland acted as an RUC informer known as Agent Carol between 1988 and 1991, and in his book, 50 Dead Men Walking, claimed his actions saved the lives of 50 intended IRA victims. He moved to the north-east of England in 1991 after the IRA discovered he was a Special Branch agent.