Man arrested after woman’s body is found in river

MURDER inquiry detectives were yesterday questioning a man about a woman’s body found dumped in a river.

Police divers pulled the body out of the water in Lisburn, Co Antrim after being called in by security guards who were monitoring CCTV cameras at the city’s civic centre.

It is understood they spotted a car pulling up to the barriers at the nearby River Lagan before a number of people got out of the car and apparently hoisted the woman’s body into the water.

The discovery of the body was made yesterday following an overnight search by a team of specially trained officers.

Sources confirmed the body was that of a woman.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokeswoman said detectives in Lisburn had launched a murder inquiry.

She added: “A man in his 30s has been arrested and is helping police with their inquiries.”

Patricia Lewsley, the SDLP Assembly member for the area, said she was horrified by the discovery.

“My first thoughts are one of horror, particularly in this area which is quite public,” she said.

“If the body had submerged earlier then it could have been quite a frightening experience for some member of the public.

“My thoughts are also with a family that is going to get some terrible news at some stage today about a member of their family,” she added.