News International-Northern Ireland timeline

2007

March

• 4 A News of the World article by Martin Breen reveals the result of a freedom of information request to the Stevens Inquiry showing that Freddie Scappaticci, believed to be the IRA informer codenamed Stakeknife could face up to 16 murder charges. An un-named former soldier of the Force Research Unit is quoted suggesting Scappaticci may have received up to £2 million as a payoff. The paper also states Scappaticci is not in Italy or Tenerife as suggested elsewhere.

April

• A Martin Breen article in the News of the World gives details of an afffidavit sworn by Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Graham Taylor of the Stevens Inquiry, naming the UDA's William 'Mo' Courtney as one of the killers of Pat Finucane on the basis of evidence from a UDA mole. The article stated: "The affidavit from DCI Taylor has never been read out in court and was part of other proceedings brought by the Stevens Inquiry to obtain documents for its investigation.

We have obtained the document from a source not involved in the Stevens Inquiry or Crown Prosecution Service."

=May

• 21 - Alex Marunchak reports in the Press Gazette that the News of the World's Belfast Editor, Martin Breen has been appointed editor of the Sunday Life. news of the World colleague David O'Dornan joins him as associate editor.