The Five Demands

Robert Warnock, presunto membro dell’UVF, è stato rilasciato per aver rivestito un ruolo importante nel processo di pace

In un’udienza presso la High Court è stato rivelato il ritrovamento di una sorta di santuario dell’Ulster Volunteer Force presso l’abitazione di Robert Warnock.
L’accusa ritiene che Warnock fosse brigadiere dell’UVF e che avesse guidato una riunione per pianificare un attentato per mezzo di una pipe bomb.
L’imputato, 62 anni, è accusato di un tentativo di intimidazione di un porteiri al fine di impedirgli di testimoniare in relazione ad un’aggressione ai suoi danni.
Ma nonostante le prove a suo carico, Warnock è stato rilasciato dopo che la Loyalist Commission ha fornito prove in merito al suo ruolo fondamentale nell’allontamento del gruppo paramilitare lealista dalla lotta armata, contribuendo così al processo di pace.
“E’ stato parte integrante del processo di pace. Ogni volta che ho parlato con lui ho trovato in lui un uomo di integrità e di un uomo di prudenza”, ha dichiarato il Rev Mervyn Gibson.
Warnock si è sempre dichiarato estraneo al fatto.
Ad inchiodarlo la testimonianza del supertestimone Robert Stewart, fratello di David Stewart anch’esso divenuto un collaboratore di giustizia. Robert Stewart è recentemente salito alla ribalta delle cronache per la sua conversione al cattolicesimo.
Secondo l’accusa il supertestimone aveva partecipato alla riunione guidata da Warnock.
“Signor Warnock è descritto da Robert Stewart come un brigadiere UVF. In quanto persona di più alto profilo in quella riunione tenuta dalla Sezione dell’UVF di Nord Belfast in cui si è discusso dell’intimidazione di Trevor Gowdy”.
Durante le perquisizioni, nell’abitazione di Robert Warnock sono stati ritrovati medaglie, una bandiera o una tovaglia, una cravata è una polo, tutti con il simbolo dell’UVF impresso.
Recuperati anche sei libretti dell’UVF oltre a fotografie incorniciate e appese ai muri, una ritraente un ‘collega assassinato’ e altre due ritraenti dei ‘compagni’.
Gran parte degli oggetti ritrovati sono ritenuti relativi alla vecchia UVF 36th Ulster Division.

UVF memorabilia man bailed (U TV)
The home of an alleged former top paramilitary was a shrine to the Ulster Volunteer Force, the High Court heard.
Prosecutors also disclosed claims that Robert Warnock was a brigadier in the terror organisation who headed a meeting where a pipe bombing was planned.
Warnock, 62, is accused in connection with the alleged attempt to stop a doorman from testifying about a brutal assault he was subjected to.
Warnock was granted bail after a former chairman of the Loyalist Commission gave evidence to back defence claims that he has been a key role in shifting paramilitaries away from violence.
The Rev Mervyn Gibson told the court: “He was an integral part of the peace process. Any time I spoke to him I found him to be a man of integrity and a man of foresight.”
Warnock, of Ballyalton Park, Monkstown, Newtownabbey, denies charges of conspiracy to intimidate a witness and membership of the outlawed UVF.
The case against him relates to a pipe bombing in September 2003 at the home in Larne, Co Antrim of the then girlfriend of Trevor Gowdy.
Mr Gowdy was due to testify about an attack on him outside a Newtownabbey social club the previous year.
Former senior loyalist and alleged police agent Mark Haddock was later sentenced to 10 years in prison for the assault.
Four men have so far been charged in connection with the pipe bombing as part of Operation Ballast, the ongoing investigation into UVF crime in north Belfast.
Supergrass
A Crown lawyer confirmed the evidence was supplied by Robert Stewart, a former commander in the organisation who, with his brother David, turned so-called supergrass.
The pair were last week ordered to serve at least three years in jail after confessing to dozens of terrorist offences.
According to the prosecution Robert Stewart attended a meeting where the pipe bomb attack was discussed.
The lawyer said: “Mr Warnock is described by Robert Stewart as a UVF brigadier. As the most senior person at that meeting involving the North Belfast UVF the issue of the intimidation of Trevor Gowdy was discussed.”
Following his arrest Warnock was said to have told police he was not a member of the UVF.
“He made no comment thereafter, but he did smile when detectives put to him that his house was a shrine to the UVF,” the barrister added.
Items seized from the property included medals, a berry, flag or tablecloth, a tie and polo shirt – all with the organisation’s symbol on them, the court heard.
Six booklets about the UVF were also recovered and three framed photographs were on the walls. One of them was of a “murdered colleague” and the other two of “comrades”, the court heard.
But Mark Farrell, defending, argued: “It’s fair to say that this applicant has been instrumental – in the modern sense – in the peace process.”
Mr Farrell called Rev Gibson, who headed up the Commission set up to move loyalist paramilitaries away from violence, as part of his case.
The barrister also detailed Warnock’s involvement with the Progressive Unionist Party talks team during peace negotiations in the 1990s.
A letter from former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam acknowledging his contribution was submitted to the court.
Mr Farrell claimed the items found at his client’s home was “memorabilia” – much of it relating to the old UVF of the 36th Ulster Division.
The judge ruled that Warnock could be released on bail due to his position as the main carer for his seriously ill wife.