McCord inquest proceedings adjourned

EVIDENCE provided by a loyalist supergrass could see a breakthrough in the police hunt for the killers of a former RAF man in Newtownabbey 15 years ago, a court has heard.

On Monday, April 30, Coroner John Leckey adjourned inquest proceedings into the 1997 death of 22-year-old Raymond McCord Jnr to see if testimony provided by the so-called “assisting offender” will prompt charges.

It is understood he is providing state’s evidence on a range of crimes committed by the notorious UVF gang from north Belfast’s Mount Vernon estate that beat Mr McCord to death and dumped his body in Ballyduff Quarry.

At Monday’s preliminary hearing in Belfast, lawyers for Mr McCord’s parents, who were present in court, told Mr Leckey that they wanted to see the police investigation completed before the inquest was heard.

A police lawyer confirmed that the process of interviewing the “assisting offender” is nearing completion.

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