Loyalist implicated in sectarian murders is found dead

A leading loyalist who was implicated in the murders of two Catholic workmen in Belfast in 1994 has been found dead.
Workmen Eamon Fox and Gary Convey were shot dead in north Belfast in 1994Workmen Eamon Fox and Gary Convey were shot dead in north Belfast in 1994
Workmen Eamon Fox and Gary Convey were shot dead in north Belfast in 1994

Mark ‘Gutsy’ Campbell, originally from north Belfast, was found dead yesterday morning. Police have said no crime is suspected.

Campbell had been living in Islandmagee, Co Antrim.

Campbell was one of the two men charged with murdering Gary Convie and Eamon Fox in Tigers Bay in May 1994.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Convie (24) and his 44 year-old workmate were gunned down as they sat eating lunch in a car at a building site in North Queen Street.

Campbell was charged along with James Smyth (50) on the basis of evidence provided by ‘supergrass’ Gary Haggarty who has admitted to having the Sten sub-machine gun used prior to the attack.

Campbell was alleged to have driven the getaway van used to take the gunman from the scene.

Earlier this year the charges against Campbell and Smyth were withdrawn by the Public Prosecution Service.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The court was told the murder case could be delayed by up to two years due to the reliance on evidence from the supergrass.

A spokesperson for the family of Eamon Fox told the Irish News they “take no comfort” from the death of the high profile loyalist.

“We take no comfort from this man’s death but are frustrated at the tactic of continuing delays that have hampered our quest for justice”, the statement said.

Related topics: