New appeal ten years on from Martin McGartland attempted murder
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17 June 2009
By DAVID SEDGWICK
A RENEWED appeal is being made into the attempted murder of Martin McGartland, ten years after the attack.
Mr McGartland was shot as he sat in his car in Duchess Street, Whitley Bay on June 17, 1999.
He survived, despite being shot a number of times at close range.
No one has ever been charged with the attempted murder and, ten years on, officers at Northumbria Police are continuing with the extensive investigation.
In the past, detectives have not confirmed a motive for the shooting.
Early reporting at the time indicated a possibility that Mr McGartland had been shot by local criminals, but there was no evidence to support it.
Det Chief Supt Chris Thomson, who is leading the investigation, said: "Although this was an unsuccessful attack, it was a cold-blooded, calculated assassination attempt.
"Mr McGartland has asked that Northumbria Police clarify the situation as far as we can and I am happy to do so.
"Mr McGartland's history as an agent for the then Royal Ulster Constabulary and his supplying of information about the Provisional IRA is a matter of public knowledge, documented in his own books on the subject.
"Our main line of enquiry, therefore, continues to be that Mr McGartland may have been shot by a person or people with Irish Republic sympathies, for reasons closely linked to his former life in Northern Ireland."
During the ten years of the investigation:
*
* five people have been arrested, though no one has yet been charged;
* 1,004 witness statements taken;
* 1,122 house-to-house enquiries have been carried out;
* 2,764 exhibits have been collated;
* 5,043 documents have been assembled.
Detectives are continuing to use DNA recovered from the scene to eliminate people from the investigation.
Other lines of enquiry centre around a van abandoned at the scene which had been bought only two days before the attack, and a message left on a telephone answering machine a few days earlier, asking about a van for sale.
The caller had a Scottish accent, originating from somewhere in the Glasgow region.
Two semi-automatic pistols and some ammunition were found in the Gateshead area within months of the attack.
One of the guns was forensically linked to the shooting and police believe those responsible may have stayed in the Gateshead area in the run up to, and after, the attack.
Mr Thomson added: "Ten years is a long time for people to keep a secret about something like this.
"Over time, word can leak out and be talked about.
"Also, people's loyalties can change a lot in ten years, and people may now be prepared to help us.
"Anyone who may have information can contact Northumbria Police on 03456 043043 ext 69162 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."
To hear the audio tape message left on the answer machine, log on to www.northumbria.police.uk/vanmessage
Story Link:- http://www.newsguardian.co.uk/latest-news/New-appeal-ten-years-on.5372715.jp
FACTS- Northumbria Police only made 10 year appeal because they were forced into doing so. Northumbria Police, Mi5 and the CPS contince to cover Up IRA involvment in my attempted murder. Northumbria Police are also involved in a cover up in the Martin McGartland case, even after 10 years. Martin McGartland says; "Northumbria Police, if they wanted to, could arrest those involved in my attempted murder. Northumbria Police know who they are and where they are. Northumbria Police, Mi5 and the CPS are protecting IRA members and in doing so are allowing them to continue killing in the name of the Real IRA."
