30 July 2001

County Meath man charged with 1974 murder

A 51 year old man has been charged with the murder of a soldier 27 years ago following a landmine explosion in Country Tyrone.

Joseph Jordan from County Meath appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday 30 July, accused of the killing of part-time UDR corporal Robert Moffatt, which occurred on 3 March 1974 when the Land Rover he and three other colleagues were travelling in was involved in a landmine blast at Kilcullan, near Cookstown.

Detective Inspector Gary McClure told the court that the charge against Mr Jordan was levelled mainly on the basis of fingerprint evidence. Cross-examining, defence solicitor Oisin Toner asked Mr McClure if the accused had been a frequent visitor to the province since the event. The officer said that Mr Jordan had not, and that it was only two days ago that the defendant had come to the notice of police since the time of Mr Moffatt’s death.

Mr Jordan has been remanded in custody and will appear at Cookstown Magistrates Court on August 24. (CL)