PSNI charge man over loyalist feud murder

The Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) Historical Enquiries Team (HET) has charged a 39-year-old man in connection with…

The Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) Historical Enquiries Team (HET) has charged a 39-year-old man in connection with the murder of Thomas English in the north in 2000.

A police spokesman said the man was arrested this morning but did not disclose details of the specific charge or charges facing the suspect, who is expected to appear in court in Belfast tomorrow.

Thomas English was shot dead by the UVF on October 31st, 2000 as part of the loyalist feud of that period.

The 39-year-old was a former senior UDA figure who was later a member of its political wing, the Ulster Democratic Party.

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He was killed in retaliation for the earlier UDA murder that week of Bertie Rice, a member of the UVF-linked Progressive Unionist Party.

Last week former leading loyalist Mark Haddock was charged with the murder of Mr English by the HET after being arrested 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.

Belfast Magistrates Court was told that the case against Haddock was based on the evidence of two brothers who have already admitted involvement in the killing of Mr English.

On Monday, Haddock, previously named in court as a leading member of the UVF, dropped a long-running legal action seeking to stop the media from publishing his new name and address after he leaves prison. He had claimed his life would be at risk after his release if his new identity was known.

Additional reporting: PA

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy is Digital Production Editor of The Irish Times