Mark Haddock
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Mark Haddock (born Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1968) is a Loyalist paramilitary leader in Northern Ireland, and British Special Branch informer, who has been named by various sources in connection with more than 21 murders. He is a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force, and was that organisation's north Belfast commander before his arrest by police in 2005.
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[edit] Personal background
Mark Haddock was born and raised in the Mount Vernon estate, a working-class housing development in north Belfast dominated by the influence of the UVF. He was educated at Lowwood Primary School (1973-1980), and Dunlambert Secondary School for Boys (1980-1985).
[edit] Named under Parliamentary Privilege
In October 2005, the Irish Labour TD Pat Rabbitte, using Dail privilege, named Haddock as a British Special Branch agent and a serial killer whose victims include: Sharon McKenna in 1993, Catholic builders Gary Convie and Eamon Fox in 1994, the alleged informer Thomas Sheppard in 1996, Protestant clergyman Rev David J. Templeton in 1997, Billy Harbinson in 1997, Raymond McCord jnr in 1997, former UDA commander Tommy English 2000, and David Greer in 2000.
[edit] Involvement in the attempted murder of Mr Gowdy
Pub doorman Trevor Gowdy was attacked at a social club in Monkstown in December 2002. He was hit on the head and body with an iron bar, a hatchet and a bat, and suffered an "open" fractured skull and broken leg as well as various cuts and bruises. Police found him lying unconscious on the ground. Haddock was subsequently charged with the attempted murder of Mr Gowdy.
[edit] Attempted assassination
On Tuesday 30 May, 2006, while on bail for the attempted murder of Mr Gowdy, Haddock was shot six times while travelling in the Newtownabbey area of north Belfast[1].
Ronald Trevor Bowe, 29, from Mount Vernon Gardens, Belfast, was arrested and charged for Haddock's attempted murder [2]. He was subsequently released on November 22, 2006 after Haddock indicated he did not wish to pursue a case against him [3].
[edit] Current situation
On Friday, 29 September, 2006, Haddock was cleared of Gowdy's attempted murder and found guilty of false imprisonment and "grievous bodily harm with intent". On Monday, 20 November, 2006, Haddock was jailed for ten years for his part in the attack. [4]
