OAP HELD OVER 1975 MCGURK’S BAR ATROCITY IN BELFAST

The aftermath of the McGurk's bar atrocity in Belfast in 1971

The aftermath of the McGurk’s bar atrocity in Belfast in 1971

WAKING The Dead’ detectives have arrested a 75-year-old man over the McGurk’s pub bombing in which 15 people were murdered.

The attack at McGurk’s bar in Great Georges Street, north Belfast on December, 4, 1971, was carried out by the UVF.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch arrested the man in east Belfast on Wednesday morning.

He was taken to the serious crime suite in Antrim for questioning.

The file on the McGurk’s bar bombing was recently reopened following a critical report into the original RUC murder investigation which blamed the IRA for planting the bomb.

In February 2011, the Police Ombudsman published a report claiming the original police investigation was “biased”.

A review was subsequently launched by the Historical Enquiries Team, and more recently by the Serious Crime Branch.

A PSNI spokeswoman said families of the victims have been informed of Wednesday’s arrest.

The officer leading the renewed investigation, Det Ch Insp Justyn Galloway, said: “Despite the passage of time, there remain a number of opportunities to make progress.

“We will do our best to develop these lines of enquiry as thoroughly and quickly as possible.

DCI Justyn Galloway appeals for information over the McGurk's bar attack

DCI Justyn Galloway appeals for information over the McGurk’s bar attack

“At the same time, I would ask those individuals who know who was involved in this attack on 4 December 1971 to talk to us.

“Much has changed in the four decades since this terrible atrocity but the families of the victims and survivors continue to suffer.

“I would ask that anyone with information or suspicions about this bomb attack to come forward,” he said.

In 1978, a man was jailed for life after being convicted of all 15 murders.

 

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