No Firm Answers At Republican's Inquest

Police have yet to establish a motive for the murder of a Real IRA man almost four years ago, an inquest has heard today.

Martin Conlon, who was abducted and killed in the Keady area in 2005, was a 35-year-old convicted republican who served a sentence for running a Real IRA training camp.

Detectives told an inquest sitting today that officers had investigated several possible motives for the murder.

They had looked at Mr Conlon's involvement in dissident activities and his sexual background, but were still unable to uncover a definite reason for the shooting.

Detective Chief Superintendent Derek Williamson said one possible motive involved an extortion plan by a criminal gang.

Under further questioning by Coroner John Lecky, Chief Superintendent Williamson said it was well-known that threats had been made to local businesses over extortion money around the time of Mr Conlon's death.

The officer said he could not confirm whether the dead man had dealings with the group behind the racket, but that it was a possibility.

Mr Conlon had previously received a bullet in the post purportedly from the LVF.

He was warned by police in the summer of 2005 that criminal elements were planning to target him.

Both the Real IRA and Continuity IRA had denied involvement in the killing, which happened at the time of a republican feud in the area.

(PR/BMcC)