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Families seek challenge to supergrass sentence

By Michael McHugh

Families bereaved by a loyalist multiple murderer-turned-state informer have called for his sentence to be challenged.

Victims have been left "deeply frustrated" at what they see as Gary Haggarty's unduly lenient six-and-a-half year minimum term for more than 200 offences, including five murders, their solicitor said.

It was heavily discounted in exchange for the former UVF kingpin giving evidence against alleged former accomplices. Relatives of the dead believe he will be freed once time already served is accounted for.

A statement from lawyer Padraig O Muirigh said: "The families I represent have been left deeply frustrated after yesterday's hearing. Whilst they understand that Mr Haggarty was entitled to a reduction in sentence under the SOCPA 2005 legislation, the reduction allowed in their opinion was out of all proportion to the assistance that was rendered.

"I have written to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Herron, to urge him to take appropriate steps to refer the sentence imposed on Gary Haggarty to the Court of Appeal."

He added: "The 35-year starting point (before discount) was too low given the senior position that Gary Haggarty occupied, the deaths which resulted and the long period over which his terror campaign was waged."

Belfast Telegraph

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