Mark Haddock
Encyclopedia
Mark Haddock is a loyalist
paramilitary leader in Northern Ireland, and British Special Branch
informer, who has been named by various sources in connection with more than twenty-one murders. He is a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), and was that organisation's north Belfast commander before his arrest by police in 2005.
, using Dáil privilege, named Haddock as a British Special Branch
agent and a serial killer whose victims include: Sharon McKenna in 1993, Catholic builders Gary Convie and Eamon Fox in 1994, the alleged informer Thomas Sheppard in 1996, Protestant clergyman Rev David J. Templeton
in 1997, Billy Harbinson in 1997, Raymond McCord Jnr in 1997, former UDA commander Tommy English 2000, and David Greer in 2000.
area of north Belfast.
Ronald Trevor Bowe, 29, from Mount Vernon Gardens, Belfast, was arrested and charged for Haddock's attempted murder. He was subsequently released on 22 November 2006 after Haddock indicated he did not wish to pursue a case against him.
In January 2009 he was charged in connection with the murder of Tommy English. Haddock was taken back into custody on 2 September 2011 as he prepared to face charges for the murder.
On 21 July 2009 Haddock was arrested by officers from the Historical Enquiries Team. He was to be questioned about the murders of John Harbinson in May 1997, Gary Convie and Eamon Fox in May 1994 and Sharon McKenna in January 1993, as well as a number of assaults and a shooting.
On 22 July 2009 Haddock was charged with the murder of a 39-year-old man in 1997. Haddock will appear in court in Belfast on 23 July 2009 accused of killing John Harbinson. The Protestant was beaten to death in the Mount Vernon estate where Haddock’s notorious gang wielded power.
Ulster loyalism
Ulster loyalism is an ideology that is opposed to a united Ireland. It can mean either support for upholding Northern Ireland's status as a constituent part of the United Kingdom , support for Northern Ireland independence, or support for loyalist paramilitaries...
paramilitary leader in Northern Ireland, and British Special Branch
Special Branch
Special Branch is a label customarily used to identify units responsible for matters of national security in British and Commonwealth police forces, as well as in the Royal Thai Police...
informer, who has been named by various sources in connection with more than twenty-one murders. He is a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), and was that organisation's north Belfast commander before his arrest by police in 2005.
Personal background
Mark Haddock was born and raised in the Mount Vernon estate, a working-class housing development in north Belfast dominated by the influence of the UVF. He was educated at Lowwood Primary School (1973-1980), and Dunlambert Secondary School for Boys (1980-1985).Named under Parliamentary Privilege
In October 2005, the Irish Labour TD Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte
Pat Rabbitte is an Irish Labour Party politician who has been Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources since March 2011...
, using Dáil privilege, named Haddock as a British Special Branch
Special Branch
Special Branch is a label customarily used to identify units responsible for matters of national security in British and Commonwealth police forces, as well as in the Royal Thai Police...
agent and a serial killer whose victims include: Sharon McKenna in 1993, Catholic builders Gary Convie and Eamon Fox in 1994, the alleged informer Thomas Sheppard in 1996, Protestant clergyman Rev David J. Templeton
David J. Templeton
David J. Templeton was a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland who was murdered in 1997 after he was 'outed' as a gay man by the Sunday Life newspaper.- Life :...
in 1997, Billy Harbinson in 1997, Raymond McCord Jnr in 1997, former UDA commander Tommy English 2000, and David Greer in 2000.
Involvement in the attempted murder of Mr Gowdy
Pub doorman Trevor Gowdy was attacked at a social club in Monkstown in December 2002. He was hit on the head and body with an iron bar, a hatchet and a bat, and suffered an "open" fractured skull and broken leg as well as various cuts and bruises. Police found him lying unconscious on the ground. Haddock was subsequently charged with the attempted murder of Mr Gowdy.Attempted assassination
On Tuesday 30 May, 2006, while on bail for the attempted murder of Mr Gowdy, Haddock was shot six times while travelling in the NewtownabbeyNewtownabbey
Newtownabbey is a large town north of Belfast in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Sometimes considered to be a suburb of Belfast, it is separated from the rest of the city by Cavehill and Fortwilliam golf course...
area of north Belfast.
Ronald Trevor Bowe, 29, from Mount Vernon Gardens, Belfast, was arrested and charged for Haddock's attempted murder. He was subsequently released on 22 November 2006 after Haddock indicated he did not wish to pursue a case against him.
Current situation
On Friday, 29 September, 2006, Haddock was cleared of Gowdy's attempted murder and found guilty of false imprisonment and "grievous bodily harm with intent". On Monday, 20 November, 2006, Haddock was jailed for ten years for his part in the attack.In January 2009 he was charged in connection with the murder of Tommy English. Haddock was taken back into custody on 2 September 2011 as he prepared to face charges for the murder.
On 21 July 2009 Haddock was arrested by officers from the Historical Enquiries Team. He was to be questioned about the murders of John Harbinson in May 1997, Gary Convie and Eamon Fox in May 1994 and Sharon McKenna in January 1993, as well as a number of assaults and a shooting.
On 22 July 2009 Haddock was charged with the murder of a 39-year-old man in 1997. Haddock will appear in court in Belfast on 23 July 2009 accused of killing John Harbinson. The Protestant was beaten to death in the Mount Vernon estate where Haddock’s notorious gang wielded power.