Finucane murder case collapses

The trial of a UDA man accused of murdering Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane has collapsed in Belfast after the British DPP decided that the main witness should not be compelled to give evidence.

The DPP made his decision on the grounds that former journalist Neil Mulholland could commit suicide if forced to testify.

Because of the decision, the DPP said there is no reasonable prospect of a conviction. The court was instructed to return a ‘not guilty’ verdict and the defendant, 51-year-old William Stobie, was set free.

Mr Mulholland’s evidence was seen as crucial to securing a conviction against Mr Stobie, a former UDA quartermaster and RUC informer who has admitted supplying the gun used to murder Mr Finucane in 1989.

Mr Stobie told police that he thought the target of the attack was a leading Provisional IRA member and would not have supplied the weapon if he knew it was a civilian.

However, in an interview with Mr Mulholland, Mr Stobie allegedly said he was aware that Mr Finucane was the intended target.