The Ulster Defence Association carried out a punishment shooting on two Catholic brothers in Derry last month, it was alleged in the High Court in Belfast yesterday. The claim by a Crown lawyer prompted Mr Justice Girvan to ask: "Is this organisation supposed to be on a ceasefire?" The lawyer replied: "Yes, my lord".
The judge said the shooting of Mr Anthony and Mr Francis Creane was "a savage offence of the utmost gravity" and he refused to grant bail to two men accused of conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm. They are Mr Stuart Macrory (18), of Sperrin Park, and Mr Gary Fry (19), of Auglish Court, in the Waterside area of Derry.
The Crown lawyer said Mr Anthony Creane (53) remained seriously ill in the Royal Victoria Hospital. "He has had his right leg amputated, and a serious doubt hangs over his future. A rather gloomy prospect has been painted by doctors about his viability. He may survive but not in any meaningful way. He is probably going to have his life wrecked by what happened."
The lawyer said the shooting on July 26th was meant to punish the brothers for allegedly playing loud Irish republican music which upset Mr Fry's grandmother, who lived in the flat above the brothers at Garvagh Court, a predominantly Protestant area.
He said police believed Mr Macrory was in the UDA, and although Mr Fry was not a member, he had close associations with the organisation.
Mr John Cushnahan, defence counsel for both men, said it was true Mr Fry had spoken to a person about the alleged annoyance to his grandmother, but he did not ask for any action to be taken and knew nothing about the shooting until it was over.