Policeman's murder - man still held

A 45-year-old man was still being questioned by detectives in Belfast today about the murder of a police officer more than 20 years ago.

The republican suspect was detained yesterday in connection with the killing of reserve constable Colin Carson, 31, gunned down at security gates in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, in May, 1983, when terrorists pulled up in a van and opened fire.

The murder was initially claimed by both the IRA and the INLA splinter group.

It is understood the arrested man is originally from west Belfast but has lived in the United States for more than a decade.

The arrest provoked an angry response from from Sinn Féin, who claimed the suspect was trailed from his car and bundled into an unmarked police vehicle.

Gerry Kelly, the party’s policing spokesman, demanded the immediate release of the man, declaring: “This vindictive arrest is outrageous.

“Sinn Féin have been in contact with the US Consulate regarding this very serious matter.“