Philip Johnston (estate agent)
Encyclopedia
Philip Johnston is an estate agent
from Belfast
, Northern Ireland
.
In April 2005 Johnston was arrested on suspicion of money laundering
. Former Ulster Defence Association
leader Jim Gray
had been arrested three days earlier, along with Gray's then girlfriend Sharon Moss. The three were suspected to be using Johnston's property business to launder money from Gray's criminal activities. Central to the allegations was a luxury property Gray was renting from Johnston at Cherry Tree Walk in Cherryvalley
. Johnston also purchased The Avenue One bar on the Newtownards Road from Gray for redevelopment.
In October 2005 Gray was shot dead at his father's home in east Belfast, after being expelled from the UDA.
In August 2006 all charges against Johnston were dropped without explanation from the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland
. After his arrest Johnston was forced to sell his business and was expelled from the National Association of Estate Agents. The case was raised with the Police Ombudsman
. His former business was subject to a management buyout, operating as MCW Residential.
In 2007 BBC Northern Ireland
screened House Traders, a documentary series on Johnston's business. A follow up programme was screened in December 2008.
In April 2008, Johnston bought back his former estate agency offices in East Belfast.
Estate agent
An estate agent is a person or business that arranges the selling, renting or management of properties, and other buildings, in the United Kingdom and Ireland. An agent that specialises in renting is often called a letting or management agent...
from Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
In April 2005 Johnston was arrested on suspicion of money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
. Former Ulster Defence Association
Ulster Defence Association
The Ulster Defence Association is the largest although not the deadliest loyalist paramilitary and vigilante group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles"...
leader Jim Gray
Jim Gray (UDA member)
James "Jim" Gray, , was the East Belfast brigadier of the Ulster Defence Association in Northern Ireland, a loyalist paramilitary group. He was often nicknamed "Doris Day" for his flamboyant dress sense and dyed blond hair. Another media nickname for Gray was the "Brigadier of Bling"...
had been arrested three days earlier, along with Gray's then girlfriend Sharon Moss. The three were suspected to be using Johnston's property business to launder money from Gray's criminal activities. Central to the allegations was a luxury property Gray was renting from Johnston at Cherry Tree Walk in Cherryvalley
Cherryvalley
Cherryvalley is an electoral ward of Belfast City Council, Northern Ireland.Along with neighbouring Stormont and Malone in south Belfast, Cherryvalley is considered one of Northern Ireland's most affluent and exclusive residential areas with average house prices reaching £2-3m...
. Johnston also purchased The Avenue One bar on the Newtownards Road from Gray for redevelopment.
In October 2005 Gray was shot dead at his father's home in east Belfast, after being expelled from the UDA.
In August 2006 all charges against Johnston were dropped without explanation from the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland
Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland
The Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland is the department of the Northern Ireland Office responsible for public prosecutions of people charged with criminal offences in Northern Ireland. It is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland...
. After his arrest Johnston was forced to sell his business and was expelled from the National Association of Estate Agents. The case was raised with the Police Ombudsman
Police Ombudsman
The Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is a non-departmental public body intended to provide an independent, impartial police complaints system for the people and police under the Police Acts of 1998 and 2000.-Personnel:...
. His former business was subject to a management buyout, operating as MCW Residential.
In 2007 BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland is the main public service broadcaster in Northern Ireland.The organisation is one of the three national regions of the BBC, together with BBC Scotland and BBC Wales. Based at Broadcasting House, Belfast, it provides television, radio, online and interactive television content...
screened House Traders, a documentary series on Johnston's business. A follow up programme was screened in December 2008.
In April 2008, Johnston bought back his former estate agency offices in East Belfast.