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14/02/2013
Loyalist Jailed For Sectarian Murder
A Belfast Loyalist has received a life sentence for the sectarian murder of a teenager almost 40 years ago, the BBC has revealed.
59-year-old Robert James Shaw Rodgers from Tierney Gardens in Belfast originally denied murdering Eileen Doherty, 19, in 1973.
Ms Doherty was murdered by gunmen who hijacked a taxi that was taking her back to her home in west Belfast. She was shot three times.
Commenting on the case, Mr Justice Horner is quoted by the BBC as saying: "Murder is murder. The passage of time... in no way dilutes the seriousness of such a crime.
"The tragic loss of Eileen Doherty, aged 19 years, remains 40 years later just that, a tragic loss.
"A decent society requires that anyone who commits such a dastardly act should be required to answer for that crime in a court of law."
Belfast Crown Court heard how Eileen Doherty was visiting her fiancée Alex McManus in the Ormeau Road area and went to the depot of Atlas Taxis at about 22:45.
Two other men were waiting for a taxi in the depot that night.
They agreed to share Ms Doherty’s fare, but as the taxi drove along Annadale Embankment, one of the men pulled out a gun and hijacked the taxi.
The firm's owner, John Sherry, who was driving the taxi, managed to escape with Ms Doherty, but the gunmen then caught up with her.
A nearby cyclist said he saw a man get out of a car and grab Ms Doherty by the arm.
There were then shots fired and the man ran back to the car and drove off.
(IT)
59-year-old Robert James Shaw Rodgers from Tierney Gardens in Belfast originally denied murdering Eileen Doherty, 19, in 1973.
Ms Doherty was murdered by gunmen who hijacked a taxi that was taking her back to her home in west Belfast. She was shot three times.
Commenting on the case, Mr Justice Horner is quoted by the BBC as saying: "Murder is murder. The passage of time... in no way dilutes the seriousness of such a crime.
"The tragic loss of Eileen Doherty, aged 19 years, remains 40 years later just that, a tragic loss.
"A decent society requires that anyone who commits such a dastardly act should be required to answer for that crime in a court of law."
Belfast Crown Court heard how Eileen Doherty was visiting her fiancée Alex McManus in the Ormeau Road area and went to the depot of Atlas Taxis at about 22:45.
Two other men were waiting for a taxi in the depot that night.
They agreed to share Ms Doherty’s fare, but as the taxi drove along Annadale Embankment, one of the men pulled out a gun and hijacked the taxi.
The firm's owner, John Sherry, who was driving the taxi, managed to escape with Ms Doherty, but the gunmen then caught up with her.
A nearby cyclist said he saw a man get out of a car and grab Ms Doherty by the arm.
There were then shots fired and the man ran back to the car and drove off.
(IT)
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