Ex-bikie Eels meal has a Gold Coast murder twist

A FORMER bikie photographed with Parramatta Eels NRL stars is a person of interest in a Gold Coast road rage shooting murder.

Eels players Corey Norman (pictured) and Junior Paulo, and Penrith’s James Segeyaro have been plunged into controversy after being seen dining with Younan and associates in Sydney. Picture: Jenny Evans

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A FORMER bikie photographed with Parramatta Eels NRL stars is a person of interest in a Gold Coast road rage shooting murder.

Ex-Nomads bikie Paul Younan has been identified by Queensland police as a “person of interest” in the murder of Gold Coast man Omega Ruston. File pic

Ex-Nomads bikie Paul Younan has been identified by Queensland police as a “person of interest” in the murder of Gold Coast man Omega Ruston outside McDonald’s at Burleigh Heads in January 2009.

Eels players Corey Norman and Junior Paulo, and Penrith’s James Segeyaro have been plunged into controversy after being photographed dining with Younan and associates at a Chinese restaurant in Sydney last Friday night.

Mr Ruston, a 32-year-old father of two, was shot dead beside the Gold Coast Highway on Australia Day, 2009, after his ute was reportedly cut off by a carload of men described by police as being of Middle Eastern descent.

Younan, who was given his bikie colours by notorious Sydney underworld figure Sam Ibrahim, has for several years been fighting efforts by Queensland authorities to interrogate him over the murder.

He and associate Haysam Hamden, who have been named in court documents as persons of interest in the case, were first summonsed to appear at Crime and Corruption Commission “star chamber” hearings in 2009 but launched legal challenges.

Late last year, both men lost a bid to take their fight to avoid questioning to the High Court.

The CCC, which uses secret coercive hearings to force people to give evidence about serious crimes or face jail for contempt, is believed to be considering further action now appeals have been exhausted.

Mr Ruston’s parents, Phil and Wendy, have previously spoken of the “slow process” of investigating his murder.

“We have to believe the police will do their job,” Mrs Ruston said in 2013 on the fourth anniversary of her son’s death.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the Eels players.

Originally published as Ex-bikie Eels meal has a Gold Coast murder twist