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

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

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty is the former Northern editor of The Irish Times