Police release man questioned over boy's murder

A man arrested in England over a gruesome child murder in Northern Ireland more than 30 years ago has been released from custody, police said today.

Police in Northern Ireland had been given two 36-hour extensions by a magistrate to question the 46-year-old suspect about the horrific murder of 10-year-old Brian McDermott since he was brought to Belfast on Monday.

Today, a police spokeswoman said: “He has been released from police custody and a file will be forwarded to the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions).”

Brian disappeared from a playground at Ormeau Park in the south of the city in September 1973.

Nearly a week later his mutilated torso and arm were dragged from the nearby River Lagan.

The discovery at the end of a massive search for the boy had shocked Ireland.

No-one was charged with the killing but six months ago a major reconstruction was staged for the Crimewatch UK television programme to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the murder.

It was that attempt to remind people of the horrors of the killing which led to the suspect being arrested in England.

It is understood he was originally from the same area of east Belfast where Brian lived.