Winkie Rea trail adjourned 25 January, 2021 14:42
The trial of veteran loyalist Winston Churchill Rea for his alleged involvement in murder and other terror crimes committed by the outlawed Red Hand Commando, has been adjourned for at least a fortnight because of the Covid pandemic.
Trial judge Mr Justice McAlinden also heard that the 69-year-old alleged former chief of the RHC is recovering after being recently hospitalised following a fall at his Springwell Road home in Groomport, Co Down.
Mr Justice McAlinden whilst acknowledging the concerns and frustrations of the families and friends of the victims in the case at an adjournment, said it was clearly inevitable the trial would have to be adjourned at this stage.
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A coalman who was murdered by loyalists in the presence of his 13-year old son was struck by up to nine bullets, a court heard yesterday.
John Devine, a 37-year old father-of-three, was gunned down in his Fallswater Street home on the afternoon of Sunday July 23, 1989.
He was later described by a senior policeman as an innocent Catholic who was murdered for no other reason than his religion.
Details of Mr Devine s final moments emerged at the non-jury trial of Winston Winkie Rea, who denies 19 offences linked to loyalist paramilitary activity between 1973 and 1996.
One charge levelled at the 69-year-old, from Springwell Gardens in Groomsport, is conspiring with persons unknown to murder John Devine.