IRA abduction and murder victim Jean McConville

THE Public Prosecution Service is to press ahead with charges against IRA veteran Ivor Bell over the murder of Jean McConville.

Ivor Bell, of Ramoan Gardens, west Belfast, is charged with aiding and abetting the murder of Mrs McConville and also IRA membership.

The 78-year-old appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court this morning when the PPS said it was forging ahead with the case against him.

Mrs McConville, a mother-of-ten, was abducted by the IRA from her Divis Flats home in December 192 by a ten-strong gang.

The 37-year-old was later shot dead and her body secretly buried on a beach in Co Louth.

Bell will appear back in court in six weeks time for the start of a preliminary enquiry hearing.