DNA matching 1994 double-murder accused found on coat

Eamon Fox, 44, and Gary Convie, 24, were shot dead in 1994

DNA matching a Belfast man accused of murdering two Catholic workmen almost 30 years ago was found on a jacket recovered alongside the murder weapon, a court has heard.

Eamon Fox, 41, and Gary Convie, 24, were shot dead on a building site while in a car on a lunch break in May 1994.

James Stewart Smyth, 57, of Forthriver Link, has been charged with the double killing on North Queen Street.

He denies the charges.

On Monday, a forensic expert was called to give evidence at Belfast Crown Court.

He examined "tape lifts" from a green Barbour jacket which were taken from the inside collar of the coat.

The jacket was found in a sports bag containing a Sten submachine, a magazine and rounds of ammunition which was in a derelict house near the murder scene.

The tape lifts contained skin flakes from the inside collar area which the forensic scientist examined at a laboratory in England in 2014.

The forensic scientist said that he found a partial DNA result.

He added: "This indicates it came from a male source and in my opinion there is no clear evidence it came from more than one person."

The witness said this profile matched the DNA profile of Mr Smyth.

'One in 363 million'

He was then asked in 2014 what the probability of obtaining matching DNA from someone unrelated to Smyth was.

He said that it "was estimated at that time that the probability of obtaining matching components" from someone other than Smyth "was in the order of one in 363 million."

The forensic scientist was also questioned by a defence barrister - and he agreed that it was impossible to determine when Mr Smyth's DNA was deposited on the inside collar of the jacket.