A BROTHER of the former INLA leader, Gino Gallagher, has appeared in court charged with murdering a member of the "headquarters faction" in the organisation's feud.
Mr Brendan Patrick Gallagher (30), from Carrigart Avenue in west Belfast, denied shooting Mr Dessie McCleery at the Chicago Pizza Pie Factory in Dublin Road, Belfast, three weeks ago. He was also charged with possession of a revolver.
There was a strong police presence at Belfast Magistrates' Court for Mr Gallagher's appearance on Saturday. Det Insp David Nairn told the court that, when cautioned about the murder charge, Mr Gallagher had replied "I had no involvement in the murder of Dessie McCleery. At that time I was in the Dairy Farm shopping complex on the Stewartstown Road."
To the second charge of possession of a .45mm revolver with intent to endanger life or cause harm to property, he said. "I have never had a firearm in my possession."
Det Insp Nairn said that closed circuit television pictures, which have not yet been shown to Mr Gallagher or his legal representatives, would be included as evidence.
He said there was also circumstantial evidence connecting Mr, Gallagher with the incident. He agreed with Mr Gallagher's solicitor that the accused man had denied any involvement with the murder during interviews at Castlereagh holding centre in Belfast.
Under cross examination, it was disclosed that Mr Gallagher's alibi, an unnamed woman, had come forward to the RUC for questioning.
Legal aid was granted, and Mr Gallagher was remanded to appear before a special court sitting at the Maze prison on July 3rd.