Behan may sue over murder arrest

IRISH actor Paudge Behan is to consider suing Italian police after being informed he is no longer under investigation for the murder of a pensioner in Tuscany last week.

The 43-year-old Dubliner was arrested at the weekend as a suspect after the fatal stabbing of 72-year-old retired businesswoman, Silvana Abate, at her villa near the small town of Arcidosso last Thursday.

Although he was released without charge, police seized Mr Behan’s car and a knife at his home in Arcidosso, that had traces of blood, for further examination.

Mr Behan’s arrest catapulted the relatively unknown actor into the international spotlight after newspaper reports that he was considered a prime suspect.

Police in Arcidosso have confirmed blood samples taken from the scene of the crime do not match the Irishman’s blood. They also admit Mr Behan is no longer considered as having any involvement in the murder of the widow.

The actor — who is the son of former IRA chief of staff, the late Cathal Goulding, and Brendan Behan’s widow, Beatrice — said he is preparing to sue Italian police for “a stack of dollars”.

Mr Behan claimed he was mistreated by local carabinieri during 24 hours of “psychological torture” during which he exercised his right to silence.

“As they say in LA: On a clear day you can sue forever,” he said.

“I’d just like to make a stack of dollars out of it at their expense, to be honest with you. I’m completely in the clear at this stage. It’s not very good for my reputation as an actor when all the reports in the newspapers are that I have been arrested for murder,” said Mr Behan.

It is understood the investigation’s focus has turned to questioning relatives and close acquaintances of the victim, including her sons.