Killing of Kevin McDaid

Kevin Brendan McDaid (1960 – 24 May 2009) was a community worker in Coleraine, Northern Ireland who was killed by a mob outside his home on May 24, 2009.[1][2] The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the attack was sectarian.[1] His wife Evelyn was also attacked, as was a pregnant woman who pleaded with the attackers.[2][3] Evelyn McDaid subsequently appealed for no retaliation to be taken, pointing out that her husband would not want this and that theirs was a mixed marriage – he was Catholic, she Protestant.[4] Their neighbour Damien Fleming was also attacked and was hospitalised in a coma.[2][5]

Investigation

In June 2009, police told the High Court that they suspected that members of the UDA were involved in the killing, with the judge concluding that there were "sectarian overtones" to the attack.[6]

Ten people have been arrested in connection with his death.[7] A court was told that twenty people received death threats after the murder, half of those threatened being witnesses.[8]

Damien Fleming recovered sufficiently from his injuries to be allowed home, but was attacked again and is considering leaving Coleraine.[5]

In August 2009 the McDaid family home was one of two that were attacked.[7]

In February 2010 eleven people had been charged with Kevin McDaids' murder, all of them barred by court order from Coleraine.[9]

In April 2010 a man was charged with the murder of Kevin McDaid.[10] The accused denied the charge, was released on bail of £500 and ordered to report to police twice a week.[10]

In January 2014 nine people were jailed for their involvement in the death of Kevin McDaid, although they eventually ended up being jailed for the lesser offences of manslaughter and attempted murder in June 2014.[11]

References
  1. Loyalist 'lynch mob' condemned over killing of Catholic, Dan Keenan, The Irish Times, 26 May 2009, retrieved 7 September 2009
  2. 'We knew this was coming' Archived 5 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Michael Clifford, Sunday Tribune, 31 May 2009, retrieved 8 September 2009
  3. Catholic man Kevin McDaid beaten to death outside his home by 'football mob', David Sharrock, The Times, 26 May 2009, retrieved 7 September 2009
  4. Widow appeals for no retaliation, BBC News, 26 May 2009, retrieved 7 September 2009
  5. Coleraine Assault Victim Ready To Quit, 4ni.co.uk, 7 September 2009, retrieved 8 September 2009
  6. 'UDA involved' in McDaid murder, BBC News, 26 June 2009
  7. Attack on home of murdered NI man, The Irish Times, 18 August 2009, retrieved 7 September 2009
  8. Death threats over McDaid murder , BBC News, 1 September 2009, retrieved 7 September 2009
  9. Kevin McDaid murder accused 'could lose home', BBC News, 18 February 2010
  10. Man in court on attempted murder, BBC News, 7 April 2010
  11. , BBC News, 1 July 2014
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