The Red Hand Defenders, a pseudonym used by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) today claimed responsibility for the murder of former RUC police agent William Stobie.
|
|
William Stobie
|
Mr Stobie was shot dead in north Belfast this morning. He had been accused of murdering solicitor Pat Finucane.
51-year-old Stobie, an ex-UDA quartermaster, was gunned down at close range outside his flat in Forthriver Road as he approached his car shortly after 6 a.m.
The murdered man's partner, who was at home at the time of the shooting, was said to be hysterical.
Stobie went on trial in Belfast last month accused of murdering Mr Finucane in February 1989 through aiding and abetting.
The former loyalist paramilitary had always insisted he told his police handlers in advance that the UDA planned to carry out a shooting.
But the case, which was central to allegations that security forces colluded with loyalist terrorists to murder Catholics, sensationally collapsed when the prosecution's only witness could not give evidence on medical grounds.
Stobie immediately called for an inquiry into how the investigation of Mr Finucane's killing had been handled.
Northern Ireland Police chiefs today said it was too early to speculate who was behind the shooting.
Assistant Chief Constable Mr Alan McQuillan said: "This is another dreadful murder in the run-up to Christmas.
"We will be doing everything we can to investigate this and bring the people responsible to justice."
Mr McQuillan could not confirm how many gunmen were involved or how they made their escape.
Later a police spokesman said up to five shots may have been heard by neighbours.
"It is believed the victim was hit at close range," he added.
Stobie's body was still at the scene while police were trying urgently to contact his mother, who lives in the area.
In a statement today, the family of Mr Finucane expressed shock at Mr Stobie's killing.
They said: "The family did not want him murdered nor did they even want him prosecuted. All they wanted was the truth.
"There have been too many murders and too many grieving relatives.
"If a public inquiry had been established into Pat's murder instead of the Stevens police investigation, Billy Stobie could have been granted anonymity and his identity unknown and he would probably still be alive today."