Man charged with 1975 RUC murder

Northern police have charged a man with murdering an RUC officer who was blown up in an IRA bomb in 1975.

Northern police have charged a man with murdering an RUC officer who was blown up in an IRA bomb in 1975.

RUC reservist Mr Joseph James Clements died after being caught in a land mine attack mounted by the Provisionals at Sixmilecross, Co Tyrone.

A 51-year-old man accused of his murder is due to appear at Cookstown Magistrates Court tomorrow.

He had been arrested in Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh yesterday.

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Mr Clements, a 48-year-old Protestant school principal, was one of five officers sent to investigate reports that a hayshed was on fire on the Cloghfin Road.

The device, containing around 400lb of explosive, was detonated under the RUC jeep as it travelled over a culvert.

A senior police officer told the inquest into his death that an electric cable was found leading to a field beside the road where the device exploded.

Mr Clements suffered severe internal injuries during the November 15 attack and died in hospital a day later.

He was a married man with two children, as well as the principal of Beragh Primary School in Co Tyrone and an assistant superintendent at his Presbyterian church's Sunday school.

PA