A father told a Belfast murder trial yesterday how he used his body as a shield to protect his teenage daughter as two gunmen opened fire on a crowded bar, killing two lifelong friends.
Mr Philip Allen and Mr Damien Trainor, one a Protestant, the other a Catholic, were shot dead in the Railway Bar in the Co Armagh village of Poyntzpass on March 3rd last year.
Mr Stephen McClean from Hillside Park, Banbridge, and Mr Noel McCready (32) of Dickson Park in nearby Seapatrick, who the prosecution claims can be linked to guns and clothing uncovered after the brutal sectarian killings, both deny murdering the two friends.
Mr David Allen told Belfast Crown Court he had just joined his brother, Philip, and Mr Trainor when the bar door was kicked open and he saw a gunman. He said a second gunman then appeared, and they were ordered to lie on the floor, but his initial reaction was that somebody was playing a prank.
Mr Allen said Mr Trainor and his brother slipped off their stools as the gunmen ordered again: "On the floor, you bastards". He crouched down and moved to get out of the way when the shooting started. He said that after the shooting he found Philip and Damien lying on the floor. Mr Trainor looked injured but his brother was wearing a coat and he could see no blood.
Mr Stephen Williamson said he had gone to the bar with his daughter, Louise (13), and some friends and had just ordered a drink when the gunmen burst in. When ordered to the floor he lay over his daughter to cover her as best he could. Mr Williamson said he and a friend, Mr Clarry Frazer, were shot when the gunmen opened fire again. He was shot in the arm, the bullet exiting through his shoulder.
A friend of Mr Williamson, Mr Edwin Lyons, also used his body to shield his friend's daughter. He said a bullet sliced across the front of his coat and jumper "like it had been cut with a pair of scissors".
Earlier the court heard that three days after the shooting a Banbridge man, Mr David Keyes, took police to a hedgerow in the Hillside Estate where they uncovered the two guns used in the murders. The prosecution lawyer, Mr Patrick Lynch, said Mr Keyes had also shown police where two sets of clothing had been hidden in a coal bunker.
Ten days after this Mr Keyes was found murdered in the LVF wing of the Maze prison, where he was being held on remand.
Mr Lynch told Mr Justice Kerr that the prosecution could link Mr McClean and Mr McCready with the guns and clothing. He said it was their case that the two men were either the gunmen or had been involved in the planning and provision of material assistance to the gunmen.
Mr Allen was shot at least three times and his friend four times, and both died from massive internal bleeding, while two other customers were wounded.
Both Mr McClean and Mr McCready deny murder and wounding and attempting to murder the two other customers and having the 9mm Browning pistol and .38 Smith and Wesson revolver used in the shooting.
A third man, Ryan Robley (30) of Highfield Gardens, Banbridge, is awaiting sentence after he pleaded guilty to the murders and attempted murders. The trial was adjourned until tomorrow.