Barman's gun killer gets life

(First Edition)

A MAN was given a life sentence yesterday for shooting dead a manager who had thrown him out of a bar. It was recommended that he serve a minimum of 25 years.

Christopher McWilliams, 30, from Belfast, was convicted in February of the murder of Colum Mahon, who was shot in the head in the lobby of Frames Too Bar, Belfast, in December 1991.

During the trial at Belfast Crown Court, witnesses identified McWilliams as a man who had been thrown out of the bar earlier in the evening. He returned after closing time, forced his way into the lobby, and shot the 39-year-old manager.

Passing sentence, Lord Justice MacDermott said it was one of the most 'cold-blooded, cruel and unjustified murders' he had ever dealt with. 'For no apparent reason, other than perhaps annoyance or anger at being put out of the bar, you returned and shot this man.'

The judge also imposed a concurrent term of 22 years for having possession of the gun with intent to endanger life.