Loyalist sentenced to eight years for manslaughter

Leading Loyalist William ‘Mo’ Courtney has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment for his part in the killing of UDA feud victim Alan McCullough.

The 21-year-old’s body was found in a shallow grave on the outskirts of Belfast in 2003. He had been shot.

Courtney, 43, of Fernhill Heights, Belfast, had been found guilty of murdering Mr McCullough last year.

However, during the re-trial last week he admitted to his manslaughter.

The young man had been killed shortly after returning to Northern Ireland during a feud with the UDA which caused him to flee his home.

Outside the court Mr McCullough's family said they were unhappy with the sentence.

His mother Barbara told reporters: "He has lied for four years. He told me Alan would be safe.

"He gave Alan reassurances that it would be safe to come with him in the car."

Her son, Kenny also added: "We expected a far lengthier sentence.

"Justice hasn`t been done, but it was never about the sentence. The sad thing about this country is it`s not what you have done, it`s who you are working for."

(JM/KMcA)