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Ex-judge furious at man's arrest Ex-judge furious at man's arrest
(about 2 hours later)
A retired judge has hit out at the arrest of a former Special Branch police officer amid allegations of a cover-up in his daughter's murder.A retired judge has hit out at the arrest of a former Special Branch police officer amid allegations of a cover-up in his daughter's murder.
Tom Travers was shot six times and his 22-year-old daughter, Mary, was killed when an IRA gang opened fire on them outside a Belfast church in 1984.Tom Travers was shot six times and his 22-year-old daughter, Mary, was killed when an IRA gang opened fire on them outside a Belfast church in 1984.
An ex-detective claimed four years ago that he had witnessed a cover-up of the killing. He was arrested on Wednesday.An ex-detective claimed four years ago that he had witnessed a cover-up of the killing. He was arrested on Wednesday.
In the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Travers said he was "a valuable witness".In the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Travers said he was "a valuable witness".
The retired judge said he had phoned the Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan to complain about his arrest. The man has been released on police bail.
Mr Travers said he had phoned the Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan to complain about his arrest.
According to the newspaper, the former police officer gave vital new evidence to the police ombudsman's office about the killing more than four years ago.According to the newspaper, the former police officer gave vital new evidence to the police ombudsman's office about the killing more than four years ago.
Tom Travers and his daughter, Mary The scene of the shooting at Derryvolgie
He claimed he was a witness to a cover up. He said he had had little contact with the office since. The former detective claimed he was a witness to a cover up. He said he had had little contact with the office since.
But the man's north Down home was raided by Ombudsman and PSNI officers on Wednesday and he was arrested for alleged neglect of duty in 1984.But the man's north Down home was raided by Ombudsman and PSNI officers on Wednesday and he was arrested for alleged neglect of duty in 1984.
BBC NI security correspondent Vincent Kearney said that he understood the retired detective approached the police ombudsman four years ago.BBC NI security correspondent Vincent Kearney said that he understood the retired detective approached the police ombudsman four years ago.
"He alleged that another member of Special Branch had allowed the murder weapon and other evidence used in the attack to be destroyed by an IRA member who had been working as an agent of security forces," he said."He alleged that another member of Special Branch had allowed the murder weapon and other evidence used in the attack to be destroyed by an IRA member who had been working as an agent of security forces," he said.
Mr Kearney said that two years later, the whistleblower felt the ombudsman's office was not acting fast enough. He made them aware of his concerns and said he was withdrawing his cooperation because he did not think the investigation was going far enough.Mr Kearney said that two years later, the whistleblower felt the ombudsman's office was not acting fast enough. He made them aware of his concerns and said he was withdrawing his cooperation because he did not think the investigation was going far enough.
On Sunday 8 April 1984, Mr Travers, his wife and their daughter were walking to their home after Mass at St Brigid's Church, Derryvolgie Avenue, south Belfast, when they were attacked by an IRA gang.On Sunday 8 April 1984, Mr Travers, his wife and their daughter were walking to their home after Mass at St Brigid's Church, Derryvolgie Avenue, south Belfast, when they were attacked by an IRA gang.