Northern Ireland-Death of a Farmer.

NORTHERN IRELAND-DEATH OF A FARMER.

Police are investigating the possibility that a Co Londonderry farmer murdered more than four years ago was killed by a hitman hired by a group of farmers jealous of his success.

Patrick Devine (51), one of Northern Ireland’s largest sheep farmers, was gunned down in his Co Londonderry home on September 13, 2004.

His body was discovered by relatives at his Mullintill Road farmhouse, four miles outside Claudy near the Derry-Tyrone border. The farmer had been eating a meal close to a window when he was shot nine times.

The PSNI today launched a fresh push for new information on the killing in the hope of tracking the culprits down. Police believe that professional jealously led to a group of farmers paying for an INLA gunman to kill Mr Devine.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Crawford said that his investigation indicates that the hard-working farmer was gunned down because of his success and wealth.

"A lot of members of the farming community have condemned what took place, but a small number were involved and conspired together to get rid of him," he said.

Mr Crawford said Mr Devine and his brother Aidan had earlier been assaulted, attacks which police have linked to the murder.

"Patrick was a wealthy man who had built up his wealth through hard work over many years. I believe that people were jealous of him and there were other petty squabbles," he said.

The policeman said he was confident that the murder was a contract killing carried out by the INLA, a dissident republican group.

He also said the murder was "talked about widely in the community" and appealed to anyone with information of use to the investigation to come forward.

"There are ways and means of getting information to the police and I would appeal for people to tell us what they know," he added.

The detective said a recent "significant forensic development" had brought the police closer to solving the case although police are still searching for the .22 rifle used in the murder.

Mr Devine’s sister Shannon McShane told the newspaper she was confident the police were closing in on her brother’s killers. She said her 75-year-old mother Katie Devine, who "doted" on her eldest child, was also still hoping the perpetrators could be brought to justice. Mrs Devine had previously lost two children to illnesses.

In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph shortly after Mr Devine’s murder, his mother said she was heartbroken.

"He was a good son. I loved Patrick and Patrick loved me," she said, adding: "Patrick’s brother died of leukaemia when he was 12 and then his sister died of multiple sclerosis at 23.

"I’ve seen a lot of heartache in my time."

Mrs McShane said today that the family’s pain has continued since the murder.

"It’s extremely painful for all of us but we hope and pray these murderers are brought to justice which would at least bring us some comfort," Mrs McShane said.

"Anyone who has any information, if they could come forward, it would maybe take this terrible nightmare away."

Information can be reported to police directly on 0845 600 8000, through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or on website www.crimestoppers-uk.org.