Murder charge loyalist found dead in Islandmagee

Workmen Eamon Fox and Gary Convey were shot dead in north Belfast in 1994. Pic by Pacemaker.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of 44-year-old Mark ‘Gutsy’ Campbell, originally from north Belfast, who was found dead at his Islandmagee home yesterday morning (Thursday).

Police have said no crime is suspected and that a post mortem examination will take place to determine the cause of death.

Mr Campbell was one of the two men charged with murdering Gary Convie and Eamon Fox in Tigers Bay in May 1994.

Mr Convie (24) and his 44 year-old workmate were gunned down as they sat eating lunch in a car at a building site in North Queen Street.

Mr Campbell was charged along with James Smyth (50) on the basis of evidence provided by ‘supergrass’ Gary Haggarty who has admitted to having the Sten sub-machine gun used prior to the attack.

Mr Campbell was alleged to have driven the getaway van used to take the gunman from the scene.

Earlier this year the charges against Campbell and Smyth were withdrawn by the Public Prosecution Service.

The court was told the murder case could be delayed by up to two years due to the reliance on evidence from the supergrass.