RUC BLAME LOYALISTS FOR ‘BRUTAL MURDER’

THE police have blamed loyalist paramilitaries for the murder of a Catholic man in his home in Coleraine.

John McCormick, who was 25, was shot just before 10.30pm on Saturday June 23 as he lay on the sofa at his home in Loughanhill Park. He died shortly afterwards in hospital.

Two men forced their way in through the back door and fired several shots at Mr McCormick in front of his two young sons, two other children and his partner Lynn McConnell, who is six months pregnant.

Local police commander, Superintendent John Bustard, said: “I utterly condemn those who carried out this brutal murder and I am urging the public to assist us with our investigation.”

There was a pipe bomb attack on their home three weeks ago and Lynn McConnell said her partner had also seen men acting suspiciously near the house in the last couple of weeks.

Mr McCormick had been due to give evidence for the prosecution in the case against several men charged in connection with a loyalist gun attack on a house in Coleraine last August. However Ms McConnell said he had withdrawn from the case because of concerns for his family's safety.

Ms McConnell and the police said they did not think that was the motive for his murder.

The gunmen made their getaway in a silver Renault 11 car. The vehicle was later found abandoned and on fire a short distance away in Dundooan Road. (AMcE)