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Dove è finito Damien McLaughlin?

DUP peer asks if dissident suspect has been ‘disappeared’

A DUP peer has suggested a man who went missing while facing charges linked to the murder of David Black may have been “disappeared”.

Lord Maurice Morrow said he has submitted a series of questions to police asking why no action was taken to apprehend the dissident suspect until weeks after he last signed bail in November last year.

The 40-year-old, from outside Ardboe in Co Tyrone, was due to stand trial this month on charges including aiding and abetting in the murder of prison officer David Black.

However, it emerged in December that he had not been seen by police for weeks.

Mr Black (52), from Cookstown, Co Tyrone, was shot dead by dissident republicans as he drove along the M1 on his way to work at Maghaberry Prison in November 2012.

A European Arrest Warrant has now been obtained as police seek to re-arrest McLaughlin.

Chief constable George Hamilton has told the Policing Board that officers have carried out several searches and interviews with associates and family members since December and liaised with law enforcement agencies across Europe.

He said checks were not carried out for a month after the accused man last signed bail due to a broken buzzer at his block of flats and a combination of computer issues and human error.

The Police Ombudsman has begun an investigation.

Lord Morrow said he has asked questions of the Minister for Justice, the Chief Constable, the Law Society and the Bar Council in respect of the case.

“The Chief Constable has acknowledged my letter and the questions therein, but to date has not responded substantively,” he said.

Republican sources say McLaughlin did not make anyone aware of his plans to leave his bail address in west Belfast and that his actions have jeopardised future bail applications by those charged with dissident activity.

Lord Morrow has accused the PSNI of “grossly” mishandling the case.

“There was far too much laxity afforded in this instance by police and that has severely impacted upon the overall case of the brutal murder of Mr Black and his family who, whilst consumed with grief, are failed in such a dramatic manner by authorities,” he said.

“Of course, this is relevant mostly if McLaughlin has absconded. What if as I have already alluded to, he has been disappeared.”

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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