BY MARK McKELVEY

THE brother of a Tyrone man murdered by Michael Stone has described the convicted killer's bizarre attack on Stormont last Friday as "a publicity stunt" to keep himself in the limelight.

Roddy Hackett, whose brother Dermot was gunned down in 1987 by the UFF near Drumquin, came face to face with the notorious loyalist hitman in February for a controversial BBC programme.

Stone was convicted of Mr Hackett's murder but later claimed in his autobiography that he helped arrange the killing but hadn't actually pulled the trigger.

Roddy, who lives in Omagh said, "We only met him for one reason, to find out about whether he played an active part in my brother's shooting and he said he didn't."

In this landmark meeting Stone claimed to have planned the attack, despite admitting to police previously that he carried out Dermot Hackett's murder.

Speaking yesterday, Roddy said he can no longer believe fully what Stone told him, as this recent attack on Stormont has made him question the motives behind Michael Stone's actions.

Roddy said, "I am beginning to think now, how many other things has he said that he has done that he hasn't, as he seems to be a real man for the limelight. I honestly do think he is a publicity seeker, living in a world of his own.

"We asked him the questions we needed and got the answers, but at the end of the day we can't be certain .