An Phoblacht/Republican News   ·   Thursday October 26 1995

Marine jailed for collusion with loyalists

SENTENCING British Marine Derek Adgey to four years on a total of 22 charges of passing on information to loyalists, Diplock Judge Campbell practically exonerated the British soldier saying he understood the "frustration" members of the "security forces" felt in "dealing with terrorists".

Campbell also glossed over the actions of UDA go-between Jacqueline Newell, Adgey's accomplice, saying she acted out of a sense of misguided "loyalty" and been "used" by others. She was given a suspended sentence.

Embarrassingly for the British government it emerged in court that Adgey who was born in Belfast had been selected for what was described in court as "special duties", soon after he joined the marines. However, due to the British Officials Secrets Act these special duties were not disclosed in court.

What did emerge was that Adgey supplied information to loyalist death squads between January and April last year when they were conducting an intense murder campaign against nationalists.

Adgey had targeted a number of nationalists, including the brother of murdered Belfast human rights lawyer, Pat Finucane and a taxi depot in West Belfast. Up to 20 shots were fired at the depot in Turf Lodge by gunmen in a car whose escape route took them past a British army base.

Adgey supplied his information during meetings with a loyalist called William, whom he met in a bar on the Shankill Road and by telephone calls and letters to Newell when stationed in England.