Questioning period of ex-IRA chief over McConville murder extended

Detectives given until tomorrow night to continue holding former IRA commander

Undated handout photo of Jean McConville (left) with three of her children. Photograph: PA
Undated handout photo of Jean McConville (left) with three of her children. Photograph: PA

A former leader of the IRA in Belfast was still being held in police custody today in connection with the 1972 abduction and murder of Jean McConville.

The 77-year-old man who was arrested on Tuesday morning was being questioned by detectives at Antrim PSNI station.

Detectives from the PSNI’s serious crime branch were today granted additional time by a court to question the pensioner who is from west Belfast.

They have until tomorrow night to continue interviewing the suspect

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The arrested man was a senior IRA commander at the time that Ms McConville, a mother of ten-children from the Divis area of west Belfast, was abducted.

Her body was recovered from Shelling Hill beach in August 2003.

PA

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty is the former Northern editor of The Irish Times