The scene of Tommy Crossan’s murder on the Springfield Road, west Belfast

DETECTIVES from the PSNI’S Terrorist Investigation Unit have arrested a man over the Continuity IRA murder of one its former leaders on Good Friday.

Tommy Crossan, 43, died after a gunman fired two shots into his head on the Springfield Road in west Belfast around 5 pm.

A number of men approached him as he worked at a fuel depot where he was blasted to death.

The hit team fled in a red BMW car which was found burned out not far away.

A 26-year-old man was arrested in west Belfast on Saturday morning over the murder.

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

Crossan, who had served a number of prison sentences for dissident republican activity, had in the past been accused of working for the PSNI and RUC Special Branch. He denied the claims.

He had also been living under the shadow of death threats for many years following a series of splits inside the Continuity IRA in Belfast.

CIRA leaders in the Republic had accused him of carrying out robberies for his own self gain and that of a criminal gang.

The murder of Crossan has been widely condemned.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: “Nothing that is claimed by the criminals can justify this murder.”

Detectives are now investigating who shot Crossan and have appealed for anyone with information to contact them on 101.