UVF killer Gary Haggarty could be released before sentence appeal is heard

A former loyalist paramilitary chief who admitted five murders could be freed before an appeal against his six-and-a-half-year prison term is heard, his lawyer has predicted.
Gary Haggarty had his sentence slashed from 35 years to six-and-a-half yearsGary Haggarty had his sentence slashed from 35 years to six-and-a-half years
Gary Haggarty had his sentence slashed from 35 years to six-and-a-half years

The Public Prosecution Service is challenging the sentence handed down to UVF boss turned state informer Gary Haggarty on the basis that it was unduly lenient.

A planned hearing at the Court of Appeal in Belfast was adjourned at the last minute due to an “administrative matter”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Senior judges adjourned the case for a week, when they will sit again to review the situation.

But outside court 46-year-old Haggarty’s solicitor revealed Sentence Review Commissioners have already met to consider his release and are due to give their preliminary decision within days.

Ciaran Shiels said: “If they order his release without challenge from the Northern Ireland Office it’s likely that he would be released before the hearing of the PPS reference.

“In correspondence they have already indicated they do not require the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the reference in order to effect Gary Haggarty’s release.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Haggarty, who was part of a UVF unit operating in north Belfast, was jailed earlier this year after confessing to hundreds of terrorist offences.

These included five attempted murders, including against police officers; multiple counts of conspiracy to murder; directing terrorism; and membership of a proscribed organisation.

Haggarty pleaded guilty as part of a controversial state deal that offered a reduced sentence in return for providing evidence on other terror suspects.

As a consequence his prison term was slashed from 35 years to six-and-a-half years due to the assistance provided to police.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Under the terms of the agreement signed back in 2010 he supplied information on scores of loyalist killings and attempted murders.

But only one man is to be prosecuted over a murder using his evidence.

Now the PPS is seeking to have his sentence reviewed and increased – a move defence lawyers believe is academic.

Even if the appeal succeeds Haggarty will not serve any longer behind bars because the murders were committed before the Good Friday Agreement, they contend.

Under the terms of that peace deal the maximum prison term for a terrorist offence committed before April 1998 is two years in prison.

Related topics: