Taxi murder 'causing fear five years on'

The murder of Catholic taxi driver Michael McGoldrick in July 1996 still causes fear throughout the community of mid-Ulster, a court heard today.

The claim was made by a senior police officer during an application by the prosecution to screen a witness from the general public.

Detective Inspector Ian Monteith said he believed the witness, who has not given evidence yet, had reason to be fearful for the lives of herself and her family.

“This was a very brutal murder and one that still instills fear in mid-Ulster, particularly in the Lurgan area. In fact the impact of the murder has never been lost sight of in the community.”

Making the application, prosecuting counsel Gordon Kerr QC said the witness would be seen by the accused and it was reasonable that some protection should be given to her.

Mr Monteith said he believed that screening her would inhibit people unrelated to the trial from identifying her or her family.

But defence counsel Jim Allister QC questioned how screening a young woman whose name was already known to the public would be of help.

“Her name is known, the area she comes from, and her evidence will be heard by anyone who wants to listen to it. Would you agree with me that screening her wouldn’t in any sense enhance the quality or content of her evidence.”

Mr Monteith said he believed it would improve her evidence because it would give her some confidence.

The judge Mr Justice Weatherup adjourned the court for 15-minutes to consider the application.