The Five Demands

Two guilty of Constable Carroll’s murder (UTV)
Two men have been found guilty of murdering Constable Stephen Carroll, at the culmination of a nine-week trial.
Former Sinn Féin councillor Brendan McConville and 20-year-old John Paul Wootton were convicted of the fatal 2009 shooting, despite protesting their innocence throughout the no-jury proceedings at Belfast Crown Court.
The pair had, however, refused to give evidence on their own behalf.
“They have chosen to say nothing in relation to the case, which cries out for explanation,” Diplock judge Lord Justice Paul Girvan said on Friday.
Constable Carroll was shot dead as he attended a 999 call in Craigavon on 9 March 2009 – police were lured into the Lismore Manor area, after a brick was thrown through a window to ensure the occupants would call for help.
A single gunshot to the head from an AK-47 assault rifle killed the long-serving officer as he sat in the driver’s seat of his unmarked patrol car – the Continuity IRA later admitted responsibility for his murder.
The 48-year-old was the first PSNI member to be killed by dissident republicans since the force replaced the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
His death came just 48 hours after the fatal shooting at Massereene barracks.
If there were an innocent explanation, they would have been easily capable of providing it to the court – but chose not to do so.
– Lord Justice Paul Girvan
Lord Justice Girvan delivered his verdicts against 40-year-old McConville, from Tullygally in Craigavon, and Wootton, from Collingdale in Lurgan, after three weeks of deliberations on the evidence.
Both men were found guilty of the murder and of possession of a firearm – namely the AK-47 – and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
Wootton was also found guilty of attempting to obtain information likely to be of use to terrorists.
Prior to the shooting and aged just 17, he had found out a friend was dating the daughter of a police officer and demanded his address.
When Witness E told him the man didn’t deserve to be shot just for being in the police, Wootton’s cold response was: “A cop’s a cop.”
The young man – who grew up in peace time, but was involved in republican paramilitary activity – was described to the court as a troublemaker who believed anyone in a police uniform was a target.
He has been taking part in a no-wash protest while on remand in Maghaberry prison.
Wootton’s co-conspirator McConville had served as a Sinn Féin councillor, but later severed ties with the party – a move understood to have been largely due to mainstream republicanism moving to support the police.
He was described as softly spoken and mild-mannered, not “one for going on marches” or being at the forefront of republican events, but is also involved in the Magaberry no-wash protests.
Summing up the evidence against McConville and Wootton, Lord Justice Girvan said: “The presence of McConville at the firing point, his association with Wootton on the night in question, the presence of Wootton and his car in Drumbeg at all material times …
“The presence of McConville’s jacket in the boot of Wootton’s car, the gunshot residue on the jacket, the gunshot residue in the car, the documents from the computer, the photographs of John Paul Wootton in uniform and participating at a paramilitary event, his attempt to obtain the address of a police officer …
“All combine to lead to the conclusion that they were both intimately involved in the plan to murder the deceased.”
During the trial, Wootton’s 39-year-old mother Sharon, with the same address as her son, pleaded guilty to obstructing the police investigation into the murder.
She admitted to removing computer equipment from their house ahead of police searches.
Constable Carroll’s widow Kate, who has watched the trial unfold from the public gallery, was there on Friday to hear the final verdicts delivered.
She embraced her son Shane and, outside the court, hugged her husband’s colleagues who had helped to investigate his murder.
I thank those members of the public who had the courage to stand up and be counted when they came forward with vital information.
– PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Owen Paterson paid tribute to the bravery of serving police officers and particularly praised those who had worked on the case.
“I welcome this verdict which sees justice for the Carroll family and those responsible for this cowardly and senseless murder convicted of their terrible crime,” he said.
Shadow Secretary Vernon Coaker added: “The murder of Constable Stephen Carroll was an appalling crime. His killers have been brought to justice and now face a long period in prison.
“Today is a very difficult one for Stephen Carroll’s family – his widow Kate and all those who loved and cared for him are in my thoughts.
“I also think about the family of Constable Ronan Kerr, whose anniversary is approaching and whose murderers have not yet been apprehended.”
The Public Prosecution Service also hoped the verdict would bring some measure of comfort to Constable Carroll’s family and praised the courage of his widow Kate.
“She has demonstrated such courage and dignity in the aftermath of her husband’s cowardly murder and throughout the trial process,” a statement said.
McConville and Wootton, who were handed automatic life sentences, will find out at a later date the minimum time they’ll have to spend behind bars.