The Five Demands

Supergrass trial cost almost £6m (UTV)
The cost of the loyalist supergrass trial stands at almost £6m so far, it has been revealed.
The high profile case, which was the first of its kind in Northern Ireland in 25 years, ended last month with twelve men walking free from court.
According to figures released in a Department of Justice letter on Tuesday, the PSNI spent an estimated £4.3m investigating and policing the trial.
The total of £6m so far includes £520,000 from the Public Prosecution Service, £220,000 from the courts service and £700,000 from the Prison Service.
It does not take into account what is likely to be the most expensive part – the legal aid bills – and once those are added up it could push the total upwards of £10m.
Nine men involved in the trial, including Mark Haddock, were acquitted of the murder of UDA leader Tommy English.
The case relied on the evidence of self-confessed UVF members Robert and Ian Stewart who testified in return for reduced sentences.
The judge delivered a damning assessment of the reliability of the Stewart brothers’ evidence, branding them as “ruthless criminals” and “liars”.
Now the Justice Committee is calling for a review of the decisions which were made to bring the supergrass case forward.
“What we saw in this trial and particularly with these two witnesses was that they have been held in disrepute,” Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney told UTV.
“Sometimes we shouldn’t just reduce this down to money but what we should do is ensure that public confidence and the rule of law is upheld.”
DUP Chairman of the Justice Committee, Paul Givan said: “We need to get these decisions right when a case is decided to be brought to court because the failure of this is the taxpayer is left to foot the bill and, ultimately, there has been an unsuccessful court case.”
However, one prominent victim’s campaigner, whose son was murdered by the UVF, says the use of so-called supergrasses is the only way forward.
Raymond McCord told UTV: “A lot of people don’t agree with the supergrass system but unfortunately because of terrorism in this county it is the only way forward.”
In its letter, the DOJ says it will notify the committee once the final legal aid fees for the defence barristers and solicitors are available.
“The final legal aid bill is not known as all the claims have yet to be submitted and assessed by the Taxing Master,” the letter explains.
“I will write to the committee again once the final legal aid costs are available.”