Republican feud murder accused must remain in custody

Hugh Black, 51, was refused bail amid claims he was the gunman in the assassination of Danny McClean and involved in a separate bid to shoot dead taxi driver Sean O’Reilly four years later.

But a judge warned he could be released in future if there are delays in completing the investigation.

Black, of Rosehead in the city, faces charges of murder, attempted murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Detectives believe both attacks were carried out by Oglaigh na hEireann (ONH) during a conflict within the dissident republican faction.

Mr McClean, 54, was shot at least four times in the head and body as he sat in a car parked on the Cliftonville Road, north Belfast in February 2021.

CCTV footage from the area showed a figure with a distinctive walking style emerge from a Vauxhall Vectra, jog across to the victim’s Audi Q2 and open fire, previous courts heard.

Expert gait analysis provides some support for claims that Black was the gunman, according to the prosecution.

A partial vehicle registration plate match with a Vectra car registered to the defendant also forms part of the case against him.

Black was initially arrested in the aftermath of the shooting but then released unconditionally at that stage.

Police have also now linked him to the separate attempt on the life of Mr O’Reilly. Two gunmen targeted the 49-year-old at a cab firm on Bell Steel Manor, west Belfast in February 2025.

One of the pair opened fire while he was in his Skoda Octavia taxi, leaving him seriously injured from bullet wounds to his shoulder blade and collar bone.

An accomplice is believed to have brandished a faulty second weapon which jammed without firing. The two pistols were discovered stashed in nearby hedges following the attack.

Ballistic examinations confirmed one of the guns had been used to murder Mr McClean four years earlier.

Based on disputed CCTV evidence, police claim the defendant was collected and acted as a look-out in the bid to kill Mr O’Reilly.

With Black denying any involvement in either shooting, he mounted a renewed application for bail at Belfast Magistrates’ Court based on alleged delays in the probe.

Defence solicitor Michael Brentnall argued: “This man has been in custody for a year.

“Both cases are circumstantial, neither of which have forensic or ballistic evidence linking my client to the murder or attempted murder.”

According to an investigating detective, however, releasing him could create “a real and present risk to the public”.

She stressed how both shootings were carried out in open areas.

“The fact Mr Black is charged with offences spanning a period of four years displays a commitment and involvement in dissident republican violent activity,” the detective added.

Deputy District Judge Gerard Trainor refused to grant bail at this stage.

Adjourning proceedings until April 29, he directed that a timeline must be provided for completion of the investigation.

“This case is now getting to the stage where a court is going to grant bail on the grounds of delay,” Mr Trainor said.

“That will happen… this case is extreme and must be sorted out.”