Brother's doubts over killer's release

Stone was freed from the Maze Prison

The brother of a victim of loyalist killer Michael Stone has said he could accept his early release from prison if it brought lasting peace to Northern Ireland.

Roddy Hackett, whose brother Dermot was shot by Stone in 1987 as he drove his bread van, was speaking after Stone was freed on licence from the Maze Prison on Monday.

He had been jailed for a total of six murders and served 12 years of a 30-year sentence.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster, Mr Hackett said he still had reservations about Stone's release because the family still could not understand why Dermot had been targeted.

He said details of how his brother had died were revealed during an inquest.

Stone was met by supporters as he left prison

"I heard the amount of bullets and how he was riddled. It was unbelievable. I would see through it if Dermot had been a member of a paramilitary organisation. He would have chosen that route.

"I would say 'you take your chances'. But to be going about your daily business, doing your job, for that to happen to you.. for no reason."

He added: "Why pick on innocent people? What is that going to achieve? That is the one thing my family cannot understand."

He said the victim had just lived for his family and his music. He had been a member of Derry Operatic Society and had played in a group.

The one thing that would annoy me, is if peace didn't come and these people were out to walk about

Roddy Hackett

He said his brother's youngest daughter had no memory of her father.

Mr Hackett said at times he was "bitter" about the killing adding: "Especially when you see a bit of triumphalism. Somebody walking, waving their arms in the air and being a hero.

"But at the end of the day if it brings peace, if we thought there was going to be peace. Step back and give the politicians a chance."

He said he had never discussed the killing with his own two daughters, but they were aware that Stone had something to do with it.

"What good is me going to Michael Stone, or attacking him or saying anything about him. At the end of the day, it's not going to bring Dermy back.

"I don't want them (his daughters) to be bitter. But the one thing that would annoy me, is if peace didn't come and these people were out to walk about."

Stone's release marks the beginning of a week which sees the last mass release of Northern Ireland's paramilitary prisoners under one of the most controversial provisions of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.