A 72-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in connection with the murder 32 years ago of a Co Donegal Catholic who was an RUC officer. He was still being questioned last night.
Sgt Joe Campbell (49), a father of eight, was shot dead outside the RUC station in Cushendall, Co Antrim, in February 1977. One suspect, RUC detective Charles McCormick, was tried and acquitted for the murder.
Yesterday’s arrest follows an announcement last week by Police Ombudsman Al Hutchinson that his inquiry team was following a fresh line of inquiry in the case, one of more than 3,000 unsolved killings of the Troubles.
Sgt Campbell’s family has always suspected security force involvement. His son, also Joe Campbell, said: “The ombudsman’s office have clearly said they have uncovered new evidence and we’re very hopeful and confident that they can follow this line of inquiry and hopefully reveal the truth.”
The ombudsman is trying to find out why Sgt Campbell was closing the station, even though he was off duty, and wants to know if he was planning to meet someone there.