Brothers charged with loyalist murder

Two brothers were today charged with murdering an Ulster Defence Association member during a bloody feud between rival loyalists in the North.

They were also accused of membership of the Ulster Volunteer Force after Tommy English (aged 40) was gunned down in front of his wife at his home near Belfast in October 2000.

David Stewart (aged 38) from Ballyearl Crescent, Newtownabbey, and Robert Stewart, (aged 34) from Carntall Rise, Newtownabbey, both deny the charges.

This is the first case to be brought to court by the autonomous Historical Enquiries Team, set up to investigate unsolved murders.

The brothers spoke at Belfast Magistrates' Court only to confirm that they understood the charges.

HET Detective Inspector Mary Mooney told the court she could connect the accused with four counts each of murdering Mr English and membership of the UVF.

Mr English's death came during a falling-out between the UVF and UDA in which seven people died.

He was a former member of the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) talks delegation in the early stages of the Northern Ireland peace process.

The party, shut down in 2001, was linked to the UDA.

David Stewart, a social worker, was charged with belonging to the UVF between 1995 and earlier this month.

Robert Stewart was accused of membership of the UVF since 1994.

Belfast magistrate Fiona Bagnall remanded them in custody to reappear at the same court via video link on September 4.