Judgement has been reserved in the Belfast Crown Court trial of the brother of murdered INLA leader, Gino Gallagher, who denies involvement in the murder of another INLA man, Desi McCleery. Mr Brendan Patrick Gallagher (31) denies being the getaway driver for the gunman who murdered Mr McCleery in the Chicago Pizza Pie Factory restaurant on May 25th last year. Mr Gallagher, from Carrigart Avenue, in Lenadoon, was on trial with his girlfriend, Ms Siobhan Boyle (28) from Colinvale in Poleglass, who denies providing him with a false alibi for the time of the murder.
Lawyers for the pair claimed the prosecution had failed to prove a case against them. Counsel for Mr Gallagher claimed the evidence from one Crown witness was so impressive that he could have been called for the defence. Counsel further claimed the "superior" witness was saying that Gallagher was not the getaway driver and had emerged considerably more impressive than the RUC man who claimed to have seen Mr Gallagher shortly after the killing. Adjouring the trial yesterday afternoon to consider his verdict, Mr Justice Girvan hoped to give it as soon as possible.