Man bailed in 1972 murder case

A man arrested by police reinvestigating a double murder more than 35 years ago was released on bail today.

The 51-year-old would have been no more than 14 at the time of the killing, which came at the height of the Troubles.

He was arrested yesterday by the Historical Enquiries Team over the murders in October 1972 of a bar manager and assistant bar manager at the Northern Wine Company off-licence in Tates Avenue, south Belfast, near the loyalist Village area.

Catholics Leo John Duffy, 45, and Thomas Marron, 59, were shot dead in a sectarian attack blamed on the loyalist Ulster Defence Association, although there was never a claim of responsibility.

Both men were shot several times at point-blank range in the attack on the Catholic-owned business.

A student helping out in the bar, Kevin Finnegan, was badly injured in the shooting.

Mr Finnegan went on to become a prominent QC who defended both republicans and loyalists in Troubles-related cases.

In a statement to an inquest held into the double murder, Mr Finnegan said the premises were held up by two young men, each armed with a gun and wearing helmets and combat jackets.

A police witness told the inquest the shooting seemed to be sectarian although the till was also robbed.