BBC News Online: UK: Northern Ireland

Police appeal over Stobie murder

William Stobie was shot dead near his home

William Stobie, who had been accused over the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane, was shot dead in north Belfast on 12 December 2001.

The attack happened outside a block of flats on the Forthriver Road, in the Glencairn area of the city.

Stobie was shot as he walked from his home to his car. He died at the scene.

Police want to hear from anyone who saw a silver-blue Mazda in Crimea Street on the morning of 29 November, or a slim woman with blond wavy hair walking along the Forthriver Road on the day of the murder.

Murder

The murder of Pat Finucane, a high profile Catholic lawyer, prompted allegations of police collusion.

In November 2001, the case against Stobie, who was accused of aiding and abetting the killing, was dismissed through lack of evidence.

Stobie was a self-confessed former Ulster Defence Association (UDA) quartermaster.

Mr Finucane was shot dead in front of his family at his home in 1989.

The killing was admitted by the UDA/UFF but nationalists have alleged security force collusion in the killing.

A team of detectives, headed by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens, has been investigating the murder of Mr Finucane and claims of security force collusion with loyalists.