Families blame police as loyalist murder probe collapses

AN inquest into the murders of two prominent loyalists collapsed yesterday after the families of both men withdrew from proceedings.

Belfast Coroner John Leckey agreed to cancel the inquest after the families of Jackie Coulter and Bobby Mahood said they had no faith in the police investigation into the double killing.

Coulter, a leading member of the Ulster Defence Association, and Mahood were shot dead outside a bookmaker’s shop in north Belfast in August 2000.