Latest news with #HMPMaghaberry
Sunday World
22-07-2025
- Sunday World
‘Winkie' Irvine under threat of violent attack from loyalist faction in jail
Paramilitary prisoners planning to 'send message he won't forget' to loyalist chief Jailed loyalist leader Winston 'Winkie' Irvine is under threat from a violent attack behind bars, sources have told the Sunday World. And we can exclusively reveal that paramilitary prisoners currently housed near Irvine in HMP Maghaberry are planning to 'give him a message he won't forget'. The threat is believed to have been issued by associates of ousted UVF men from east Belfast who blame Irvine for their expulsion from the paramilitary organisation. 'Winkie will need to watch his step every inch of the way while he's in jail. The men from the east have fingered him for waging a campaign to discredit Stephen Matthews,' said a well-placed east Belfast loyalist source. Last night the Sunday World made the PSNI aware of the alleged threat against 49-year-old Irvine from Ballysillan Road, who is currently serving out a two-and-a-half-year sentence after he was caught with a bag of guns and ammunition in his car. Earlier this week police released dramatic film footage of Irvine's arrest in June 2022, alongside his co-accused, 54-year-old Robin Workman of Shore Road, Larne, who was later jailed for five years – half of which will be served on licence. Winston 'Winkie' Irvine in police custody Police bodycam shows the moment Winkie Irvine is arrested The East Belfast faction of the UVF was expelled by the terror group's Shankill Road leadership on Remembrance Sunday 2023. A masked UVF volunteer read out a statement in front of 1,000 UVF-linked loyalists who had earlier that morning paraded in honour of the war dead. A similar statement was read out at other UVF-controlled venues, including one off the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. Source claim veteran loyalist Stephen Matthews was replaced by a new leader installed with the blessing of the Shankill leadership controlled by veteran UVF men John 'Bunter' Graham and 'Harmless Harry' Stockman. Matthews has previously denied being involved in both criminality and paramilitarism. And moves were also made to take complete control of UVF arms dumps in the east of the city. Stephen Matthews Matthews was made aware in no uncertain terms that he wasn't under any physical threat as long as he 'steered well clear' of UVF military hardware, according to sources. It is claimed he was further warned that any attempt to push back against the Shankill Road ruling, would be met with an immediate and violent reaction. For a number of years, Matthews was alleged to have run a criminal gang which it was claimed used the UVF name as cover for a range of activities, including drug dealing and extortion. Traditionally known as the UVF 4th Battalion, its east Belfast territory ran from the Albert Bridge near the city centre to Newtownards. And its heartland was by far the largest area of loyalist paramilitary influence and control in the whole of Northern Ireland. And the lucrative cash return in the area was huge. But as time passed, sources claim Matthews became estranged from the UVF's Shankill Road centre, although he continued to consolidate his support in the east. But since his expulsion 18 months ago, Matthews didn't disappear quietly as some predicted. Instead, he steadily rebuilt an even more solid support base. In recent times, Matthews has overseen a move away from drug dealing and criminality toward community-based activism, sources claim. And we were also told that during a meeting with his top men, one of 'Mackers' distant relatives – who held the rank of Provost Marshal – made a jokey remark about drug dealing, saying: 'No more drugs? That's why I joined the UVF.' Matthews is alleged to have slapped his relative around the head. And he was later busted down the ranks and is now driving a taxi for a living. 'That showed Mackers meant business with regards to cleaning up the image,' said our source. Only last Saturday, Mackers was spotted handing out chilled bottles of mineral water to thirsty returning bandsmen and 12th of July Orange marchers, near St Matthews Catholic Church on the Newtownards Road. Matthews was inundated by well-wishers who showed their support by slapping him on the back and asking him for souvenir 'selfies'. 'Good on you, big man,' a member of the East Belfast Regimental Band shouted as he passed by on the final hurdle of the 12th parade, which was seen as a spectacular success. 'Mackers is more popular now than he was before he was ousted,' one of his supporters told us. Whilst accepting the reality of their position outside the mainstream UVF, Mackers' men have refused to fully surrender their loyalist connection and they are now branding themselves the UVF Regiment of East Belfast. This effectively sees two UVF-proclaimed groups vying for loyalist support in the East Belfast Brigade area. But all available evidence also shows the Matthews faction is currently enjoying a resurgence of influence in working-class loyalist areas east of the River Lagan. And many of Mackers' men are thoroughly convinced Winkie Irvine was responsible for a relentless smear campaign against their east Belfast boss. Video footage of Winkie being arrested Winkie's final throw of the dice came in June last year while he was still out on bail awaiting trial for a range of arms offences. Irvine arranged for a psychological show of strength aimed at emphasising Mackers' demise. The Woodvale UVF boss was one of hundreds of loyalists – wearing white shirts and black ties – who lined the entire length of the Newtownards Road. Mackers stayed away, opting to observe proceedings from the nearby safety of the Constitution Club. And he later used the moment to rebuild his support in the heartland of loyalism in east Belfast. 'Some people thought it would be the death knell of Stephen Matthews. Instead it was the beginning of his fight back and a year later he done it,' said our source. 'The blame for what happened has been laid at Winkies' door.' Another loyalist source with an insight into Matthews' thinking insisted he didn't know the identity of those tried to discredit him, but he doesn't blame Irvine. Last night, a spokesman said: 'Mr Matthews has no issue with Winston Irvine. And he doesn't wish to see any division within loyalism.' Winston 'Winkie' Irvine in police custody News in 90 Seconds - July 22nd
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man jailed for manslaughter of friend in Portrush
A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to a minimum of eight years for the manslaughter of his friend in County Antrim. Last week Jason Murray, with an address at HMP Maghaberry, admitted to unlawfully killing 46-year-old Paul Rowlands in the Bath Terrace area of Portrush on 18 July 2022. The court heard that after Murray attacked Mr Rowlands, he walked to a nearby bar and said: "I kill people now, I'm a hitman." Mr Justice O'Hara said the family of Mr Rowland were "struggling to cope" after his death. He said that "for all of them life has changed, for all of them life is harder, for all of them life will never be the same again". "Each family member struggles in his or her own way to cope with the loss of Paul Rowlands, with regular thoughts of going to contact him to tell him about small things being brought to a sudden halt when they remember that he is gone," he said. The judge told the court that Murray "is and was an addict and his ability to exercise self-control was impaired". A parole officer had concluded that "violence was somewhat embedded in Mr Murray" and he posed "a significant risk to the public", the judge added. Mr Justice O'Hara said this was a "reminder yet again of what happens when people are addicted to drink and drugs and refuse help". Sentencing Murray to a minimum of eight years in jail, Judge O'Hara said "it'll be up to parole board to decide if after eight years he is fit to be released". "If they decide he isn't fit to be released, he'll remain in prison." Mr Rowlands was originally from Cambridge, England, but he and Murray were homeless and living in tents on East Strand, in Portrush, at the time. Murray's plea to manslaughter was accepted on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to mental abnormality. At a previous hearing the court was told at 02:15 BST on 18 July 2022, the ambulance service received a report that a man was lying on the ground at Bath Terrace. When emergency services arrived at the scene, Mr Rowlands was found lying on his back between two cars with a puddle of blood by his head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination concluded Mr Rowlands had suffered bleeding to the brain as a result of blunt trauma to his head and neck which caused his death and he had considerable levels of alcohol in his system. Speaking outside court, Mr Rowlands daughter, Leanne Rowlands said "dad was at the heart of our family". "He was a brother, father, son. He was loved by us all." She said her father's death was "cruel and untimely" and had "turned our life upside down". She said "he'll never have the joy of knowing his grandkids". "He was quiet to the outside world," she said. "He loved Doctor Who and Man United. He loved us, his nieces and nephews too. "The last three years have been so hard." In a statement following Murray's sentencing on Tuesday, Det Insp Claire McGarvey described Mr Rowlands as a "much-loved father of five". She said police are "grateful" to witnesses who "came forward to support our investigation". She added: "This was the most senseless and tragic loss of a man's life, in an attack fuelled by alcohol. "Here, a verbal altercation followed by physical blows has had the most devastating and irreversible of consequences." The court previously heard that when Murray was arrested by police on 18 July he admitted he had been with Mr Rowlands on 17 July and had been drinking, adding that the pair were having issues. Barrister Sam Magee KC, said Murray told police there had been a fight, that Mr Rowlands had started and involved both men slapping each other. Murray told police he regarded the fight as a "tiff", the court was told. Mr Magee said Mr Rowlands had travelled from England a month before his death and was unemployed with a history of alcohol and drug misuse. The court was told that Mr Rowlands and Murray had become friends as both were homeless and living in tents and spent their days "drinking, fishing and taking drugs". Mr Magee told the court: "The defendant left the scene, leaving the deceased dying or dead, showing indifference to the fate of the deceased and continuing to drink." Defence barrister Gavan Duffy KC told the court there was "no question" that Murray was "very, very heavily intoxicated" when he arrived at a nearby bar after the fight. The defence said Murray "should have remained there and he should have alerted attention to what had occurred and remained to accept responsibility". The court was told Murray experienced a "brutal upbringing" and had a history of mental health issues, including Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
BBC News
08-07-2025
- BBC News
Portrush: Jason Murray sentenced for manslaughter of Paul Rowlands
A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to a minimum of eight years for the manslaughter of his friend in County week Jason Murray, with an address at HMP Maghaberry, admitted to unlawfully killing 46-year-old Paul Rowlands in the Bath Terrace area of Portrush on 18 July 2022. The court heard that after Murray attacked Mr Rowlands, he walked to a nearby bar and said: "I kill people now, I'm a hitman."Mr Rowlands was originally from Cambridge, England, but he and Murray were homeless and living in tents on East Strand, in Portrush, at the time. Murray's plea to manslaughter was accepted on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to mental a previous hearing the court was told at 02:15 BST on 18 July 2022, the ambulance service received a report that a man was lying on the ground at Bath Terrace. When emergency services arrived at the scene, Mr Rowlands was found lying on his back between two cars with a puddle of blood by his head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination concluded Mr Rowlands had suffered bleeding to the brain as a result of blunt trauma to his head and neck which caused his death and he had considerable levels of alcohol in his system. The court previously heard that when Murray was arrested by police on 18 July he admitted he had been with Mr Rowlands on 17 July and had been drinking, adding that the pair were having issues. Barrister Sam Magee KC, said Murray told police there had been a fight, that Mr Rowlands had started and involved both men slapping each told police he regarded the fight as a "tiff", the court was told. Mr Magee said Mr Rowlands had travelled from England a month before his death and was unemployed with a history of alcohol and drug misuse. The court was told that Mr Rowlands and Murray had become friends as both were homeless and living in tents and spent their days "drinking, fishing and taking drugs". Mr Magee told the court: "The defendant left the scene, leaving the deceased dying or dead, showing indifference to the fate of the deceased and continuing to drink."Defence barrister Gavan Duffy KC told the court there was "no question" that Murray was "very, very heavily intoxicated" when he arrived at a nearby bar after the defence said Murray "should have remained there and he should have alerted attention to what had occurred and remained to accept responsibility". The court was told Murray experienced a "brutal upbringing" and had a history of mental health issues, including Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
BBC News
04-07-2025
- BBC News
Portrush: Man pleads guilty to manslaughter of Paul Rowlands
A 42-year-old man has admitted the manslaughter of his friend in County Murray, with an address at HMP Maghaberry, admitted to unlawfully killing 46-year-old Paul Rowlands in the Bath Terrace area of Portrush on 18 July 2022. He appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Friday and the court heard that after Murray attacked Mr Rowlands, he walked to a nearby bar and said: "I kill people now, I'm a hitman". Mr Rowlands was originally from Cambridge, England but he and Murray were homeless and living in tents on the east Strand of Portrush at the time. Murray's plea to manslaughter was accepted on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to mental abnormality. 'Considerable levels of alcohol' The court was told at 02:15 BST on 18 July 2022, the ambulance service received a report that a man was lying on the ground at Bath Terrace. When emergency services arrived at the scene, Mr Rowlands was found lying on his back between two cars with a puddle of blood by his head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Barrister Sam Magee KC said Mr Rowlands had injuries including a laceration above his eye and a wound to the back of his head. A post-mortem examination on 20 July concluded that Mr Rowlands had suffered bleeding to the brain as a result of blunt trauma to his head and neck which caused his death and he had considerable levels of alcohol in his inquiries were made, the court was told that Mr Rowlands and Murray had been seen fighting on the beach close to Bath Terrace. A witness reported that she had observed two men fighting. One man was on the ground and another was throwing punches and shouting: "You're lucky I didn't kill you". Mr Magee KC said police viewed CCTV showing two men buying alcohol together at an off-licence on Main Street in the town at 21:17 BST on 17 CCTV also showed Mr Rowlands and Murray together at 23:55 BST the same night and following the attack, footage showed Murray arriving at the Atlantic Bar at 12:11 BST on 18 July. Murray was also said to be intoxicated in the bar and was playing pool with a broken hand that night. A fight occurred The court heard that when Murray was arrested by police on 18 July he admitted he had been with Mr Rowlands on 17 July and had been drinking, adding that the pair were having issues. Mr Magee said Murray told police there had been a fight, that Mr Rowlands had started and involved both men slapping each told police he regarded the fight as a "tiff", the court was told. Mr Magee said Mr Rowlands had travelled from England a month before his death and was unemployed with a history of alcohol and drug misuse. The court was told that Mr Rowlands and Murray had become friends as both were homeless and living in tents and spent their days "drinking, fishing and taking drugs". Mr Magee told the court: "The defendant left the scene, leaving the deceased dying or dead, showing indifference to the fate of the deceased and continuing to drink." Defence barrister Gavan Duffy KC told the court there was "no question" that Murray was "very, very heavily intoxicated" when he arrived at the Atlantic defence said Murray "should have remained there and he should have alerted attention to what had occurred and remained to accept responsibility". The court was told Murray experienced a "brutal upbringing" and had a history of mental health issues, including Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Murray will be sentenced on 8 July.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Yahoo
Daughter considering meeting mother's killer, Hazel Stewart
The daughter of Lesley Howell has said she has made initial inquiries about possibly meeting her mother's killer to discuss her role in the murder. It comes as Hazel Stewart failed in a legal bid to secure a reduced jail sentence for the double murders of her husband Trevor Buchanan, 32, and 31-year-old Lesley Howell, who was the wife of her former lover Colin Howell. Stewart is currently serving an 18-year term for the 1991 murders. The 62-year-old's fresh legal challenge was made on the basis that she was under the coercive control of Lesley's husband, Colin Howell, who is serving a 21-year sentence in HMP Maghaberry for the murders. Lauren Bradford-Clarke told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme she has "reached out" and made "early inquiries" about restorative justice. "It's a very, very complicated thing. It would require me to really kind of drag a lot of stuff up," she said. "Being able to move forward, I think it would be quite a long process," she added. Now an assistant professor in criminology, Ms Bradford-Clarke said she uses her "professional head" in order to deal with the trauma. "Following my mummy's murder, there were five years where Hazel Stewart was very much part of my life, and I very much remember her and remember the time that we had with her," she said. "It's very sad in a lot of ways, I saw her as a mummy. I had lost my mum, and I wanted nothing more than to have a mum." Ms Bradford-Clarke said returning to the court is "very difficult" and "re-traumatising". "I lose sleep, I get very, very upset and emotional. It's definitely something that becomes almost overwhelming," she said. In respect of Stewart's recent appeal, Ms Bradford-Clarke said from her recollection, albeit as a young child, the description of "coercive control" did not fit the relationship between her father and Hazel Stewart. "That is not my professional opinion, that is my personal opinion," she said. "I do not think that coercive control is a factor here, and I certainly do not think Hazel is a victim. "There's many victims in this case. I find it quite distasteful that Hazel Stewart is being labelled a victim here. "What about my mum?" Both victims were found in a fume filled garage in Castlerock, County Londonderry in May 1991. Almost two decades later, Colin Howell confessed to the killings. Police originally believed the deaths were the result of a suicide pact after they discovered their partners were having an extra-marital affair. Instead, they had been drugged and murdered before their bodies were arranged to make it look like they had taken their own lives. Howell also implicated his former lover in the plot and gave evidence against her at her trial. During the trial, the court heard Howell had planned and carried out the killings and Stewart had facilitated them by drugging her husband, allowing Howell into her house and disposing of a hose pipe used in the murder. Speaking on Wednesday after Hazel Stewart's appeal was turned down, Lesley Howell's family, referring to their mother by her maiden name of Lesley Clarke, said they were relieved that this stage of the legal process was over, but there is "no joy and no celebration". "While this decision offers some reassurance, we recognise that there's no true end or closure. "Nothing will bring our mum back," her children said. 'New evidence' on mental health and control of double killer Stewart
