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Ex-judge furious at man's arrest | Ex-judge furious at man's arrest |
(about 10 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". |
However, the ombudsman has defended the arrest. | |
She said the arrest was absolutely necessary if the circumstances surrounding the murder are to be properly investigated. | |
The man was arrested on Wednesday, but later released on police bail pending further questioning. | The man was arrested on Wednesday, but later released on police bail pending further questioning. |
Mr Travers said he had phoned Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan to complain about the arrest. | Mr Travers said he had phoned Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan to complain about the arrest. |
The retired Special Branch officer claimed there was a cover-up in the investigation to protect an informer. | The retired Special Branch officer claimed there was a cover-up in the investigation to protect an informer. |
He said another Special Branch officer allowed a member of the IRA, who was a police agent, to destroy vital evidence including the murder weapon. | He said another Special Branch officer allowed a member of the IRA, who was a police agent, to destroy vital evidence including the murder weapon. |
The officer said he contacted the police ombudsman four years ago, but withdrew his co-operation two years later because he was unhappy with the investigation into his claims. | The officer said he contacted the police ombudsman four years ago, but withdrew his co-operation two years later because he was unhappy with the investigation into his claims. |
Mr Travers has strongly criticised the Ombudsman, describing the Special Branch officer as a valuable witness trying to solve his daughter's murder and expose a police cover-up. | Mr Travers has strongly criticised the Ombudsman, describing the Special Branch officer as a valuable witness trying to solve his daughter's murder and expose a police cover-up. |