Man charged with soldier’s 1974 murder

A 51-year-old man was remanded in custody today charged with murdering a soldier 27 years ago.

John Joseph Jordan from Co Meath appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates Court, Co Fermanagh, on the charge over the killing of Ulster Defence Regiment Corporal Robert Thomas Moffett in March 1974.

The court heard the evidence against Mr Jordan, of Greenpark, Dunshaughlin, was principally fingerprints.

Defence solicitor Oisin Toner asked Detective Inspector Gary McClure if he was aware that Mr Jordan had been a frequent visitor to the jurisdiction of Northern Ireland since the incident.

The officer said he was not and that two days ago was the first time the defendant had come to the police’s notice since the murder of Mr Moffett.

The victim, a 36-year-old farmer and part time UDR member, suffered head injuries when the Land Rover he and three other colleagues were in crashed at Kilcullan near Cookstown, Co Tyrone, in a landmine explosion on March 3, 1974.