Black murder accused to sue police and PPS

Pacemaker Press 5/2/2014 Sean McVeigh appeared in court in Craigavon charged with the murder of prison officer David Black as he drove to work in Northern Ireland. David Black, a 52-year-old father of two, was shot dead on the M1 in County Armagh as he went to work at Maghaberry Prison in November 2012.

Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker — Pacemaker Press 5/2/2014 Sean McVeigh appeared in court in Craigavon charged with the murder of prison officer David Black as he drove to work in Northern Ireland. David Black, a 52-year-old father of two, was shot dead on the M1 in County Armagh as he went to work at Maghaberry Prison in November 2012. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Sean McVeigh, of Victoria Street, Lurgan had been charged with his murder. That charge and another of possessing an assault rifle with the intent to endanger life were dropped on Tuesday.

A lawyer from the Public Prosecution Service told Craigavon Magistrates’ Court: “The charges in this matter are to be withdrawn. No prosecution has been directed.”

District Judge Mervyn Bates told Mr McVeigh that he was free to go. “As far as this matter is concerned you may be released from custody. This case is now at an end.”

Mr McVeigh is to sue the PPS and PSNI for the time he has spent in custody.

When he was first arrested and charged in February, Mr McVeigh’s lawyers had requested that the PPS review the case as they said there was no evidence against their client.

Mr McVeigh was released on bail in April after a High Court judge said evidence of his involvement ‘in the murder of Mr Black is far from overwhelming’.

Bail conditions included a curfew and electronic monitoring. He was also ordered to report to police three times a week and was banned from contacting two other men linked to the murder investigation. Mr Corrigan said police claimed ‘they discovered a hat, gloves and matches during a search of Mr McVeigh’s Victoria St home and a car a day after the attack’.

“We have always pointed to the fact that Mr McVeigh still possessed the matches which were bought in a shop near his home after the shooting happened and that the hat and gloves were found among his work tools in his own vehicle,” he said. “Further there remains no evidence to indicate that gloves or hats were used in the murder.

“From as early as the day our client was charged he put forward an alibi and from as early as the first day at court we have asked that the PPS review the charges against our client.

“There has been considerable adverse publicity for him and his family relating to this murder. It has now been proven that our client is totally innocent of the charges brought. My client will now be instigating civil proceedings against the PSNI and the PPS for the time he has spent in custody as a result of same.”