Witness admits alcoholism, drug habit

A CONVICTED loyalist terrorist, who is testifying for the British state in one of the North’s largest ever paramilitary trials, has admitted to being a life-long alcoholic with a drugs habit who fled the region with money stolen from his parents.

Robert Stewart, aged 37, who is giving evidence against alleged Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) commander Mark Haddock and 13 other defendants, told Belfast Crown Court he also sometimes has problems with his memory.

The 14 face a litany of paramilitary charges, with Haddock and seven others facing the most serious count of murdering rival loyalist leader Tommy English in Belfast 11 years ago. They all deny the charges.

Mr English, aged 40, who was leader of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), was gunned down in his house in front of his wife and three children just after 6pm on Hallowe’en in 2000 during a feud between the UDA and UVF.

Mr Stewart, along with his brother David Ian Stewart, turned state’s evidence in return for a reduced sentence in pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the murder as well as UVF membership.

Details of Robert Stewart’s vices emerged as he was cross-examined by Haddock’s lawyer on the second day of the non-jury trial in front of Mr Justice John Gillen.

Frank O’Donoghue, defending Haddock, had asked why he was unable to recall specific details about the day in July 2008 when he and his brother fled the estate they lived in before handing themselves in to police.

Mr Stewart blamed his vodka drinking that day and said: “I have been an alcoholic all my life.”

He then confessed to being a habitual drug user, taking ecstasy, cocaine, cannabis, acid and glue as well as prescription valium.

“The last few years I would have cut down a lot but there were times I took a lot of drugs and alcohol.”

Mr Stewart told the counsel he and his brother fled to Britain before returning to the North to spend a week in Portrush before finally handing themselves in.

He said they had funded the travel with £2,000 (€2,270) his brother stole from his parents’ house.

Mr Stewart has claimed Haddock planned and directed the plan to murder Mr English.

Mr O’Donoghue asked the witness if had he difficulty with his memory.

“Some parts,” he said.

“Everybody has difficulty at some times. Large events I don’t have any difficulty with, (with) drinking maybe.”

As he did yesterday, Haddock sat outside the dock away from the other defendants over concerns for his safety.

He looked on as Mr O’Donoghue accused Mr Stewart of fabricating his evidence that his client had plotted the shooting in a flat in the hours before the attack. “I want to suggest to you that you have made that up, that’s a cock and bull story and under no circumstances was Mr Haddock ever there (in the flat).”

Mr Stewart replied: “Then I would say Mr Haddock is lying.”