12/06/2003
Man denies murder of loyalist
The man charged with the murder of 21-year-old loyalist Alan McCullough has denied the charges in connection with the murder.
The accused, 29-year-old Ahab Shoukri from Alliance Road in Belfast, was also charged with being a member of the Ulster Freedom Fighters.
Although Mr Shoukri was due to appear in court this morning, his defence solicitor had asked for the case to be rescheduled later in the day as legal counsel was expected to receive a lengthy briefing on the case.
A police officer said that he could connect Mr Shoukri with the charges. However, the case was subsequently adjourned to consider legal submissions from the defence counsel in relation to the remand of the accused.
The murder of Mr McCullough was claimed by the UFF. Police have confirmed that he was shot before the body was placed in the shallow grave near to a rural road in Mallusk in the outskirts of north Belfast.
Mr McCullough went missing after apparently returning to Northern Ireland having received assurances that he would be safe following a bitter dispute between factions within the UDA that led to four murders.
The BBC reported last week that a caller claiming to be from the UFF, and who used a recognised codeword, had linked the murder of Alan McCullough to that of John ‘Grugg’ Gregg and Jonathan Stewart.
Police investigating the incident have uncovered two replica handguns.
(SP)
The accused, 29-year-old Ahab Shoukri from Alliance Road in Belfast, was also charged with being a member of the Ulster Freedom Fighters.
Although Mr Shoukri was due to appear in court this morning, his defence solicitor had asked for the case to be rescheduled later in the day as legal counsel was expected to receive a lengthy briefing on the case.
A police officer said that he could connect Mr Shoukri with the charges. However, the case was subsequently adjourned to consider legal submissions from the defence counsel in relation to the remand of the accused.
The murder of Mr McCullough was claimed by the UFF. Police have confirmed that he was shot before the body was placed in the shallow grave near to a rural road in Mallusk in the outskirts of north Belfast.
Mr McCullough went missing after apparently returning to Northern Ireland having received assurances that he would be safe following a bitter dispute between factions within the UDA that led to four murders.
The BBC reported last week that a caller claiming to be from the UFF, and who used a recognised codeword, had linked the murder of Alan McCullough to that of John ‘Grugg’ Gregg and Jonathan Stewart.
Police investigating the incident have uncovered two replica handguns.
(SP)
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