Policing Board to discuss Haddock shooting

The Policing Board is to discuss the shooting of leading loyalist, Mark Haddock, which is to be raised during a public meeting of the Board today.

Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is expected to be quizzed over who he believes to be responsible for the shooting of the 36-year-old who is currently in a serious condition in hospital.

Mark Haddock, originally from the Mount Vernon area of north Belfast, was shot close to his home in the Mossley area of the Doagh Road shortly before 3.30pm on Tuesday.

It has also emerged that Mr Haddock may have been lured to the area, where he was subsequently ambushed and shot.

He was been taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, reportedly suffering from a number of gunshot wounds.

Loyalists are being blamed for carrying out the attack, however PUP leader David Ervine said he believed the UVF would have nothing to gain from carrying out the shooting.

Mr Haddock, who is suspected of being a senior member of the Ulster Volunteer Force, is currently on bail facing a charge of attempted murder.

He was accused of attempting to kill nightclub doorman Trevor Gowdy in Monkstown in December 2002.

Mr Gowdy was found unconscious in the Monkstown Estate. He had been severely beaten with an iron bar and a hatchet.

The trial began at Belfast Crown Court last year, but was stopped after Mr Gowdy broke down in the witness box and was later deemed medically unfit to continue. Earlier this month, Mr Gowdy was granted permission to testify from a secret location in England.

Mr Haddock was also questioned in relation to the murder of Raymond McCord Jr in 1997.

During today's public meeting of the Policing Board, it is also understood that the role of board member Dawn Purvis from the PUP will be questioned, as her party is linked to the UVF.

Police in Newtownabbey are still appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the shooting, or who may have seen a black Peugeot 309 in the are between the times of 3.30pm and 3.50pm to contact them on 0845 600 8000, or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.

(EF/SP)