Man Arrested Over Prison Officer Murder

A 46-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Maghaberry prison officer David Black.

Police have confirmed detectives investigating the murder arrested the man in Lurgan, County Armagh. He is currently being questioned at Antrim police station.

David Black, 52, was shot on the M1 on Thursday morning as he drove to work at Maghaberry prison.

The victim, from Cookstown, was driving along a section of the road in County Armagh when another car pulled up beside him and a number of shots where fired.

Mr Black’s car then veered into a ditch. He died at the scene. The prison officer’s funeral took place yesterday.

A private service was held at the family home in Cookstown, followed by a funeral at Molesworth Presbyterian Church. A private increment was then held at Kildress Parish Church.

Police searched the area with sniffer dogs ahead of the funeral.

The father-of-two was the first prison officer to be murdered in Northern Ireland in nearly 20 years and was the 30th prison worker to be murdered by paramilitaries in Northern Ireland since 1974.

Crimestoppers is offering £10,000 for information which leads to the conviction of those responsible.

Prominent republican Colin Duffy was released on Monday following his arrest for the murder.

Detectives have appealed for information on the movement of both cars last Thursday morning.

Mr Black was driving a black Audi A4, with the registration number HHZ 1560.

The other vehicle was a dark blue Toyota Camry with Dublin number plates, 94 D 50997. It was found burnt out in Inglewood in north Lurgan at 07:50 GMT.

Officers want to hear from anyone who saw the car after 07:00 on Thursday. It travelled from Cookstown, through Stewartstown and onto the Tamnamore roundabout. It then went onto the M1 eastbound.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has denounced Mr Black’s murder.

She said the US continued to support Northern Ireland's ambitions for peace and reconciliation.

(IT/GK)