Police are to mount a strong security operation in and around Laganside courts in central Belfast today ahead of one of the biggest paramilitary trials in recent years.
Former senior Ulster Volunteer Force figure and RUC informant Mark Haddock is to appear along with several other loyalist co-accused in connection with the murder of UDA leader Tommy English in 2000.
In what has been dubbed a modern “supergrass” trial a total of nine are charged in relation to the murder while in all 14 defendants face a range of other charges including kidnapping, false imprisonment, hijacking, assault and weapons’ possession.
