In 1993, a gang from Mid-Ulster UVF went to a family home in Co Down and shot dead two men shortly after they had celebrated their sister’s 11th birthday
THE arraignment hearing of a former Co Armagh man facing conspiracy to murder charges was today postponed because of ongoing legal dispute by criminal barristers.
Lawrence George Maguire, 62, now of Millbank Terrace, Falkirk in Scotland, appeared via video link at Belfast Crown Court for the hearing. Members of the Cairns family sat in the public gallery of Court 13 for the brief hearing.
Maguire is facing four charges which include conspiring to murder Rory Cairns, Gerard Cairns, Liam Cairns and Eamon Cairns on dates between September 1, 1991 and October 29, 1993.
He is charged with possessing a 357 Magnum and .38 handgun with intent to endanger life, possessing them in suspicious circumstances and having the weapons without a certificate on dates between January 31 and March 1 1993.
A senior prosecution lawyer said the arraignment hearing would not be proceeding as it was a Category A case which criminal barristers were not taking instructions on due to the ongoing legal action over legal aid fees.
Defence solicitor Paul Dougan told Mr Justice Fowler that with the court’s permission Maguire was appearing remotely from Scotland where he is now living.
“As Your Lordship may be aware it was anticipated that the arraignment hearing would not proceed today because of the ongoing industrial action and that remains the position,” said Mr Dougan.
“I have had no consultation with either senior or junior counsel so I am in the court’s hands.”
Mr Justice Fowler said he would review the case on January 9, 2026 and excused Maguire from attending in person on that date.
In October 1993, while Maguire was in prison, a gang from Mid-Ulster UVF went to the Cairns family home near Bleary in Co Down and shot dead Rory and Gerard Cairns shortly after they had celebrated their sister’s 11th birthday.
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