Four men were arrested today over the murder of a man in Derry two months ago which police suspect may have been drugs related.
Jim McConnell, 38, was shot by two masked men at his home at Woodlands Avenue in Prehen just after midnight on February 11. Two other men in the house were unhurt.
Two men aged 19 and 23 were arrested in the Limavady area of Co Derry under the Terrorism Act this morning and taken to the PSNI’s Serious Crime Suite in Antrim for interview.
Two other men, aged 24 and 53, were arrested under anti-drugs legislation and were being questioned by police in Derry, said a PSNI spokeswoman.
Immediately after the murder police said they were investigating the possibility the killing was drugs related and carried out by dissident republicans.
Police were today also carrying out a series of searches at a number of addresses in Limavady.
The killing caused a wave of condemnation with First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness describing those responsible as cowardly and having nothing to offer society.
Mr McGuinness said: “There was no justification for this act”.
Mr Robinson added: “The people of Northern Ireland have moved on and will see this shooting for the cowardly evil act that it is.”
PA