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Kevin McGuigan murder: Senior republican Bobby Storey one of three arrested Kevin McGuigan murder: Senior republican Bobby Storey one of three arrested
(35 minutes later)
Well-known republican Bobby Storey has been arrested over the murder of former IRA man Kevin McGuigan Sr.Well-known republican Bobby Storey has been arrested over the murder of former IRA man Kevin McGuigan Sr.
Mr McGuigan Sr was shot dead at his home in Comber Court in the Short Strand area of east Belfast in August. Mr McGuigan Sr was shot dead at his home in east Belfast in August, and police said members of the Provisional IRA were involved in the killing.
Mr Storey was one of three men, aged 59, 45 and 58, arrested by police in north and west Belfast on Wednesday.Mr Storey was one of three men, aged 59, 45 and 58, arrested by police in north and west Belfast on Wednesday.
The other two men arrested, Eddie Copeland and Brian Gillen, are also well-known republicans. The other two arrested, Eddie Copeland and Brian Gillen, are also well-known republicans.
In 2005, UUP MP David Burnside told the House of Commons under parliamentary privilege that Bobby Storey was head of intelligence for the IRA.
Mr Storey, who is a former IRA prisoner, is the northern chairman of Sinn Féin.Mr Storey, who is a former IRA prisoner, is the northern chairman of Sinn Féin.
The PSNI has said that some Provisional IRA members were involved in Mr McGuigan Sr's murder. However, it said there was no evidence at that stage that the killing was sanctioned by the organisation. In 2005, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MP David Burnside told the House of Commons under parliamentary privilege that Mr Storey was the head of intelligence for the IRA.
Sinn Féin has denied this and maintains the Provisional IRA no longer exists. Defender
A total of sixteen people have been arrested in connection with Mr McGuigan Sr's murder. One person has been charged, the others were released unconditionally. Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness said he was "surprised" to learn about Mr Storey's arrest.
The murder of Mr McGuigan sparked a crisis in Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive following the police assessment of IRA involvement in his murder. "Bobby Storey is a valued member of Sinn Féin's core leadership," the deputy first minister said.
"He has played a leading role in the development of Sinn Féin's peace strategy and is a long standing and loyal supporter, defender and advocate of the peace and political processes.
"We look forward with confidence to his early release."
The Police Service of Northern Ireland's Chief Constable George Hamilton said last month that Provisional IRA members had a role in Mr McGuigan Sr's murder.
But he added there was no evidence at that stage that the killing had been sanctioned at a senior level of the organisation.
Adjournment
Sinn Féin said the IRA no longer exists.
A total of 16 people have been arrested in connection with Mr McGuigan Sr's murder.
One person has been charged, while the others were released unconditionally.
After Wednesday's arrests, First Minister Peter Robinson tweeted: "These events were predicted in my statement on Monday.
"No one can be above the law. That is why we sought adjournment of the assembly.
"We will do so again. Hopefully the UUP will support us this time rather than voting with Sinn Féin for business as usual," he added.
Sparked
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said the "political implications could not be more serious and profound".
He said his MPs would meet Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday to discuss the arrests.
"That is how serious it is being treated in Downing Street," he added.
The murder of Mr McGuigan Sr sparked a crisis in Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive after the police assessment of IRA involvement in his murder.
A fresh round of talks got under way on Tuesday.A fresh round of talks got under way on Tuesday.
These events were predicted in my statement on Monday. No one can be above the law. That is why we sought adjournment of the Assembly.
We will do so again. Hopefully the UUP will support us this time rather than voting with SF for business as usual.