Men Accused Of UDA Murder Plot At Glasgow Court

Four men accused of a three-year terror plot - including a bid to kill ex-UDA members Johnny Adair and Sammy McCrory - have went on trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Antoin Duffy, 38, Martin Hughes, 35, Paul Sands, 31 and John Gorman, 57, are charged with conspiring to murder Adair and McCrory - once high profile figures in the loyalist paramilitary organisation.

Three other men - Craig Convery, 36, Gary Convery, 34, and Gordon Brown, 29, - face allegations linked to the terror plans.

It is also claimed Duffy and Gorman were allegedly part of a plan to target the governor of Barlinnie jail in a car bomb attack.

Prosecutors say Duffy, Hughes, Sands and Gorman along with un-named individuals plotted to kill Adair and McCrory between August 2010 and October, 2013.

Locations where the plans were allegedly discussed include high-security HMP Shotts and a flat in Old Castle Road in Glasgow's Shawlands.

It is claimed "surveillance and reconnaissance" was carried out on Adair and McCrory and an attempt to obtain firearms and ammunition.

Duffy and Gorman are then accused that - between June 2012 and last October - they were involved in a conspiracy to murder Barlinnie governor Derek McGill OBE.

Duffy, Hughes, Gorman and Sands also face another charge of joining others with the "intention of committing acts of terrorism".

The allegation - under the Terrorism Act 2006 - spans Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Irish Republic.

It includes claims that contact was made with Republican movements the Real IRA and the IRA.

Hughes, Sands and Gorman further face a separate charge of intending to assist Duffy in acts of terrorism.

The accusation lists similar claims as the other Terrorism Act charge including the alleged possession of Loyalist and Republican paraphenalia.

Craig and Gary Convery are accused of directing others to commit serious offences such as drug dealing, possession of firearms and those under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

This includes allegedly instructing individuals in the sale and transportation of a number of weapons such as guns and rifles.

Brown is charged with agreeing with the Converys to help in the "commission of serious organised crime".

One accusation states he met with Duffy and handed money over to him.

The trio are also accused along with Duffy of possessing an assault rifle at an address in Paisley, Renfrewshire.

Craig Convery faces a final charge under the Proceeds of Crime Act of having £5660 in money on September 12 last year.