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'Sub-human thugs' killed former Provo - Local & National - News - Belfast Telegraph

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❍ ● Print ● Most Home Guide to Version Read ❍ News Halloween ● Search Spooky ■ Local & National celebrations 'Sub-human thugs' killed across Ulster get ■ World news former Provo under way ■ Politics

■ Environment Murder one of worst coroner has seen Video: Race expert slams Fallon ride ■ Education Saturday, October 27, 2007 Steward 'can't ■ Letters By Claire McNeilly understand' why Kieren lost this ■ Opinion A former IRA man was stabbed in the face with a bayonet by "sub-human thugs", his inquest has race ■ Technology heard.

❍ Breaking News Coroner John Leckey was speaking at an inquest in to the murder of 44-year-old Eamon Collins, which he Wheely good? described as one of the most brutal he had ever seen. Belfast's big ❍ Northwest Edition wheel has got everyone in a ❍ Business The body of Eamon Collins was found at Dorans Hill, on January 27, 1999 a few hundred yards from home. spin ❍ Business Telegraph He had been stabbed to death while out on an early morning walk in Newry.

❍ Sport A subsequent post-mortem examination established that his death was due to multiple stab wounds. Pants on fire Although no one has been charged with the murder, Detective Chief Inspector Kenneth McFarland told the ❍ Health Suspect escapes inquest he believed that the south Armagh IRA was behind it. a blazing house ❍ Features in his boxers Giving evidence, Northern Ireland State Pathologist, Professor Jack Crane, said that the cause of death ❍ Columnists was stab wounds to the head, although he had also been stabbed in the back twice.

❍ Entertainment Prof Crane also confirmed that the victim had been beaten as well as stabbed. Vote: Business ❍ Homefinder He said: "To penetrate the skull a considerable amount of force is required," and he described the way Mr Woman of the Year ❍ Weather Collins met his death as " very savage indeed". Nominate your woman of the ❍ Archive Prof Crane said the victim's injuries were caused by "a bladed weapon, a sturdy knife or a bayonet". year in our new awards ❍ Calendar 2008 He also said he believed Mr Collins died at the scene of the brutal attack. ❍ Telegraph Travel Bernadette Collins told the inquest that prior to her husband's death her family was "experiencing Homefinder TV ❍ Shopping Directory difficulties". Helen Carson visits a period Inside Belfast It emerged that graffiti was being painted on to walls in the area in which they lived after her husband - who residence in east had renounced violence and turned informer spoke out about the Omagh bombing. Belfast ● Jobs But when questioned by Mr Leckey over her fears of reprisal for her husband's actions, she replied: "I never ● Training thought seriously about it, it may have been a worry." ● Dating

● She also blamed the IRA: "I do believe they were from a republican background, but where from I don't Casino know." ● Bingo Chief Inspector McFarland said that inquiries and intelligence received " led me to believe the south ● Reader Offers Armagh IRA carried out his murder" - which he added "was conducted with hatred".

● Diners' Club The Chief Inspector added that there was evidence to suggest the victim fought back and that an assailant l Services injured himself in the execution of the murder.

❍ RSS Despite every line of inquiry being "thoroughly pursued" he confirmed that no one had subsequently been charged. ❍ Media Kit Representing the Historical Enquiries Team, Mr Miller assured Mrs Collins that her husband's death was a case that would be reviewed. l Other Titles Summing up, Mr Leckey extended his sympathy to Mrs Collins and her family and acknowledged that her

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article3102532.ece (1 of 4)30/10/2007 14:31:14 'Sub-human thugs' killed former Provo - Local & National - News - Belfast Telegraph

❍ Sunday Life husband's death has had "a profound effect on them".

❍ Ireland's Saturday Night He said he hoped "the sub-human thugs who carried this out will be brought to account and charged with the murder and receive an appropriate sentence". ❍ Community Telegraph