Leading loyalist Jim Gray was broke when he was shot dead more than a year ago, it was revealed today.
Assets Recovery Agency (AAA) deputy director Alan McQuillan said the former Ulster Defence Association brigadier, known for his flamboyant lifestyle, had significant debts and was largely living on credit when he was killed in East Belfast on October 4th, 2005.
Northern Ireland's Assets Recovery Agency deputy director Alan McQuillan
Gray was on bail on money laundering charges when he was shot outside his father's house on the Clarawood Estate shortly after being expelled from the UDA.
He was arrested in April 2005 near Banbridge, Co Down, in a car travelling towards the Republic. Police suspected the former East Belfast brigadier, nicknamed "Doris Day" because of his love of pink jumpers and extravagant clothing, was trying to leave the country. They found a bank draft for €10,000 and nearly £3,000 cash in his car.
The AAA, which is being wound down, announced today it had succeeded in a court order in securing more than £62,000 worth of Gray's assets.
Mr McQuillan said: "Mr Gray was a notorious figure in the UDA and in organised crime in Belfast. "Many people will be surprised to see the low value of the money recovered in this case, but the reason is simple.
"While Mr Gray led a flamboyant lifestyle, our investigations showed that, at the end, this was really all that was left," he said. "Mr Gray had significant debts, was largely living on credit, and was spending freely. In the end, there was nothing more to recover."