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14/05/2018
Three Men Jailed For Destroying Car Linked To John Boreland Murder
Three men have been jailed in connection with destroying a vehicle linked to the murder of John Boreland in north Belfast two years ago.
Thomas O'Hara, 31, from Brownhill Drive in the Kilburney area of Scotland, Darren McAllister, 35, of Carrs Glen Park in Belfast and 63-year-old Thomas Pearson of Rathglynn in Antrim, had all pleaded guilty at earlier hearings to a single charge each of perverting the course of justice. Mr Pearson was also found guilty of providing a vehicle for use by terrorists in a separate trial.
Mr O'Hara was sentenced to four years and nine months at Belfast Crown Court on Friday, 11 May. In addition, Mr McAllister received a five-year sentence while Mr Pearson was jailed for six years.
John Boreland, 40, was shot dead in the Sunningdale Gardens area as he made his way home from a local pub in August 2016.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Alan Dickson said investigators ascertained that the killer had "emerged from a silver Renault Megane, fired a number of shots at Mr Boreland, fatally injuring him, before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle".
"Detectives were able to establish that this vehicle was owned by Thomas Pearson and that it had been used with his knowledge," he said.
"We were also able to link Darren McAllister and Thomas O'Hara to the destruction of the Megane, which was burned out two days after the murder following a police appeal for information.
"We are pleased that these men will now face the consequences of their actions and we are satisfied that the sentences handed down today adequately reflect the seriousness of their crimes.
"The investigation into the murder of John Boreland remains open and we remain committed to identifying the murderer and all of those connected to this horrific crime and bringing them before the courts.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Boreland family for their dignity, patience and support throughout the investigation to date."
Image: CCTV image of Darren McAllister purchasing a lighter to burn the vehicle.
(LM/MH)
Thomas O'Hara, 31, from Brownhill Drive in the Kilburney area of Scotland, Darren McAllister, 35, of Carrs Glen Park in Belfast and 63-year-old Thomas Pearson of Rathglynn in Antrim, had all pleaded guilty at earlier hearings to a single charge each of perverting the course of justice. Mr Pearson was also found guilty of providing a vehicle for use by terrorists in a separate trial.
Mr O'Hara was sentenced to four years and nine months at Belfast Crown Court on Friday, 11 May. In addition, Mr McAllister received a five-year sentence while Mr Pearson was jailed for six years.
John Boreland, 40, was shot dead in the Sunningdale Gardens area as he made his way home from a local pub in August 2016.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Alan Dickson said investigators ascertained that the killer had "emerged from a silver Renault Megane, fired a number of shots at Mr Boreland, fatally injuring him, before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle".
"Detectives were able to establish that this vehicle was owned by Thomas Pearson and that it had been used with his knowledge," he said.
"We were also able to link Darren McAllister and Thomas O'Hara to the destruction of the Megane, which was burned out two days after the murder following a police appeal for information.
"We are pleased that these men will now face the consequences of their actions and we are satisfied that the sentences handed down today adequately reflect the seriousness of their crimes.
"The investigation into the murder of John Boreland remains open and we remain committed to identifying the murderer and all of those connected to this horrific crime and bringing them before the courts.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Boreland family for their dignity, patience and support throughout the investigation to date."
Image: CCTV image of Darren McAllister purchasing a lighter to burn the vehicle.
(LM/MH)
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