A former "supergrass" from Portadown was jailed for 19 years at Belfast Crown Court yesterday for a series of armed robberies. In July 1982, 29 suspected loyalist terrorists including the former LVF leader, Billy Wright, were freed when Clifford McKeown (38), who had been granted immunity against prosecution, withdrew his evidence against them.
Last month McKeown, from Union Street, Portadown, was convicted of three armed robberies and related firearms offences. At Centrepoint, Lurgan, in July 1996, two masked men escaped with £30,000 after holding staff up with a shotgun. There were other robberies at Aghalee Post Office, in May 1994, when £12,000 was taken, and in September 1996, when gunmen escaped with £800 in cash and a quantity of cheques.
Mr Justice Girvan said Mc Keown had shown no remorse or sign he recognised the grave criminality of his conduct. He jailed him for 19 years for the Centrepoint robbery, with concurrent 18-year terms on the other charges.
Marlow Joshua Moore (26) of Greenview Gardens, Portadown, who is serving nine years for false imprisonment and attempted robbery, was given a further 10-year term for his part in the raid on Aghalee PO. Stephen Lynas (29) from Corcrain Drive, Portadown, was sentenced to four years jail plus three years probation for the same offence.