Haddock wants 'media black-out'

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A former leading loyalist linked by the police ombudsman to over a dozen murders wants to be screened from view when giving evidence in court.

Mark Haddock from Mount Vernon is seeking a media black-out on his new identity when he is freed from jail.

He is due to be released in January and claims his life is at risk.

The High Court was told on Monday that Haddock had decided not to apply for pre-release because he fears that he is under imminent death threat.

The north Belfast man is serving a 10-year sentence for attacking a nightclub doorman.

He is preparing to have his name changed by deed poll.

He also wants an injunction to ban publication of any future address, any photographs of himself and his partner and any change of identity and appearance.

Legal proceedings were launched in July when it was believed he would ask to be considered for temporary parole ahead of completing his time in prison.

But his counsel Mark Farrell told the court: "The applicant has withdrawn his application for pre-release home leave on the grounds of his personal safety."

Screens

The lawyer confirmed he now wanted his client to testify as part of the action - with protective measures in place.

"The application is for the use of a screen to enable the witness to give evidence without members of the public being able to see him," Mr Farrell added.

John Larkin QC, for the BBC and the Irish News, who are among the media organisations resisting the move, offered no objection to the loyalist being brought into court but reserved his position on screening.

"We would intend to cross-examine Mr Haddock extensively," he added.

The case was originally launched amid claims that it was "a matter of life and death".

Haddock who was previously named in court as a leading member of the Ulster Volunteer Force, survived a murder attempt in 2006.

He was shot up to six times in Newtownabbey, County Antrim while out on bail.

Later that year he was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent and false imprisonment for attacking Trevor Gowdy outside a social club in Monkstown on the northern outskirts of Belfast in December 2002.

His lawyers sought a blanket reporting ban by likening the case to that of west Belfast republican Freddie Scappaticci, named as the British agent Stakeknife.

In January 2007 Haddock was widely reported to have been a paid Special Branch agent following the publication of a damning report by former Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan.

Mrs O'Loan's investigation found that police colluded with a north Belfast UVF unit which was behind more than a dozen murders in the area.