John Downey arrested in connection with 1972 murder of two UDR officers

[Jock2413]

By Gareth Cross - Belfast Telegraph
November 5 2018


A 66-year-old man was arrested in Donegal on Monday on suspicion of the murder of two Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) soldiers in 1972.
The Press Association have confirmed that the man arrested was former IRA man John Downey.
He was also arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting an explosion.

Lance Corporal Alfred Johnston, a father of 4, and Private James Eames, a father of 3, died when a device exploded in a car they were checking on the Irvinestown Road, Cherrymount, Enniskillen on August 25, 1972.
Downey was arrested under a European Arrest Warrant as part of a joint operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He is expected to appear at Dublin High Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Downey previously stood trial for the 1982 Hyde Park bombings in which four soldiers were killed and a number of people were injured.The trial collapsed because Downey had been awarded an "on-the-run" letter by the UK Government which guaranteed he would not face trial.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team, said: “The PSNI has been liaising closely with An Garda Siochana and today’s arrest demonstrates the benefits of joint working between police forces and other national partner agencies.

“The PSNI investigation into these murders remains active.”

“The PSNI investigation into these murders remains active.”
Why? They know who carried them out but were unable to prosecute.

[Jock2413]

From what I can gather, these are new charges that have been laid and not connected to the Hyde Park bomb. So under the terms of the GFA, he can go on trial although his sentence if found guilty will mean that he will do no more than 2 years. With a bit of luck he will snuff it in jail.

Some think they are untouchable!

Sons and Daughters don't have a Farther due to this piece of work. I agree with comments and hope the Grim reaper shapens his Syth Blade before visiting.

7 youngsters left without there Daddy's hope the big C gets him.

RA.