An alleged former loyalist paramilitary leader was in a critical condition in hospital last night after being shot up to eight times in Newtownabbey, north Belfast, yesterday. Mark Haddock is alleged to be a former Ulster Volunteer Force commander in north Belfast, and is also suspected of having been a police informer, writes Gerry Moriarty, Northern Editor
Last night no organisation or individual had admitted to the attack. However, Haddock, who allegedly controlled the Mount Vernon area of north Belfast, had fallen foul of his former UVF paramilitary colleagues on the back of allegations that he had acted as an RUC Special Branch informant.
He was attacked at around 3.50pm yesterday at Mossley in Newtownabbey where he has been living on and off since he was released on bail from prison on an attempted murder charge. He managed to stagger to a neighbour's house for help. Last night he was in a critical condition in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast with multiple gunshot wounds.
Haddock is on trial for the attempted murder of doorman Trevor Gowdy, who was beaten unconscious in north Belfast in December 2002. He was attacked with an iron bar and hatchet. Haddock, who was named in court as a senior UVF figure, claimed he had gone to assist Mr Gowdy.
Haddock was also questioned about the 1997 murder of Raymond McCord jnr, who was beaten to death by the UVF.
Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan is due to publish a report into Mr McCord's killing within months. Sources say Haddock will feature prominently in the report, particularly in relation to how he was allegedly improperly handled by the RUC Special Branch.
At the attack scene in Newtownabbey last night was Gareth McCord, brother of Raymond McCord. He said he was in no doubt the UVF shot Haddock. "There are no UVF supporters here to mourn his injuries."
Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey recently invited David Ervine - leader of the Progressive Unionist Party which is linked to the UVF - to take the UUP whip in the Assembly. If the UVF is deemed responsible for the attack on Haddock it could have serious implications for Sir Reg and his leadership.
UUP Assembly member for East Antrim Roy Beggs jnr said anyone with information about the attack must contact the police. DUP MP for North Belfast Nigel Dodds said the shooting must be condemned by all right-thinking people.
Sinn Féin North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said many would be suspicious about the motivation for the attack, given that Mrs O'Loan's inquiry into "Mark Haddock, the Mount Vernon UVF and their collusion with the Special Branch was due to be published" soon.