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Gerry Adams held over 1972 murder of Jean McConville Gerry Adams held over 1972 murder of Jean McConville
(35 minutes later)
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has reportedly been arrested in Northern Ireland in connection with the murder of Jean McConville in 1972. Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has been arrested in Northern Ireland in connection with the murder of Jean McConville in 1972, according to the Police Service of  Northern Ireland. 
The then 37-year-old widow and mother of 10 was kidnapped from her flat in the Divis area of west Belfast, and shot dead by the IRA. The then 37-year-old widow and mother of 10 was kidnapped from her flat in the Divis area of west Belfast, and shot dead by the Irish Republican Party (IRA).
Her body was not found until 2003, when it was recovered from a beach in County Louth. The IRA admitted to killing Mrs McConville in 1998, but her body was not found until 2003, when it was recovered from a beach in County Louth.
Police said a 65-year-old man had presented himself to Antrim police station on Wednesday evening and was arrested, according to BBC News.Police said a 65-year-old man had presented himself to Antrim police station on Wednesday evening and was arrested, according to BBC News.
In a statement seen by the BBC, Sinn Féin said: "Last month Gerry Adams said he was available to meet the PSNI about the Jean McConville case. That meeting is taking place this evening." Mr Adams confirmed his own arrest on Wednesday in a prepared statement, and described it as a voluntary, prearranged interview.
He said that he was “innocent of any part” in death of McConville.
Mr Adams was implicated in the killing by two IRA veterans who gave taped interviews to researchers for a Boston College research project. The Northern Ireland police took legal steps to acquire the interviews, parts of which have already been published after one IRA interviewee died.
The Sinn Fein leader has vehemently rejected the allegations, and said he would be available to meet with detectives if they wished to speak with him in the wake of the recent developments in the case.
No one has ever been charged with the murder, but after years without progress in the criminal investigation there have been a series of arrests in recent weeks.
A veteran republican - 77-year-old Ivor Bell - was charged last month with aiding and abetting the murder.
Tonight the Sinn Fein president confirmed the meeting was happening.
“Last month I said that I was available to meet the PSNI about the Jean McConville case,” he said.
“While I have concerns about the timing, I am voluntarily meeting with the PSNI this evening.
"As a republican leader I have never shirked my responsibility to build the peace. This includes dealing with the difficult issue of victims and their families. Insofar as it is possible I have worked to bring closure to victims and their families who have contacted me. Even though they may not agree, this includes the family of Jean McConville.
“I believe that the killing of Jean McConville and the secret burial of her body was wrong and a grievous injustice to her and her family.
"Well publicised, malicious allegations have been made against me. I reject these.
"While I have never disassociated myself from the IRA and I never will, I am innocent of any part in the abduction, killing or burial of Mrs McConville."
Additional reporting by agencies