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26/02/2014
Man Arrested In Eamon Collins Murder Case
A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Eamon Collins.
Mr Collins, a former IRA man, was killed in 1999 just outside of Newry, a short distance from his home. He was 45-years-old at the time, and was deliberately hit by a car as he was out on an early morning walk on Doran's Hill on 27 January 1999. He was then beaten and stabbed a number of times in the head and face. It is thought the incident was a suspected revenge attack for Collins turning supergrass.
During his time in the IRA, Mr Collins collected information on police officers and Royal Ulster Constabulary special branch members as well as set up assassinations throughout a six-year period. While he did not directly shoot anyone, he did provide information and recruited members for the terrorist group. In 1985, he was arrested and charged with numerous terrorist offences, including five murders and being a member of the IRA. Following his arrest, however, Collins turned a supergrass and gave evidence against his former colleagues. More than 40 people were arrested as a result of the information provided, but the accused later had a change of heart and most were released.
Last month, police investigating the case said they had made a breakthrough after they recovered DNA from the scene of the murder. Then, on Tuesday, detectives confirmed a 59-year-old man had been arrested in Newry and taken to Antrim Police Station for questioning. His house was also searched.
No other details have been released.
(JP/CD)
Mr Collins, a former IRA man, was killed in 1999 just outside of Newry, a short distance from his home. He was 45-years-old at the time, and was deliberately hit by a car as he was out on an early morning walk on Doran's Hill on 27 January 1999. He was then beaten and stabbed a number of times in the head and face. It is thought the incident was a suspected revenge attack for Collins turning supergrass.
During his time in the IRA, Mr Collins collected information on police officers and Royal Ulster Constabulary special branch members as well as set up assassinations throughout a six-year period. While he did not directly shoot anyone, he did provide information and recruited members for the terrorist group. In 1985, he was arrested and charged with numerous terrorist offences, including five murders and being a member of the IRA. Following his arrest, however, Collins turned a supergrass and gave evidence against his former colleagues. More than 40 people were arrested as a result of the information provided, but the accused later had a change of heart and most were released.
Last month, police investigating the case said they had made a breakthrough after they recovered DNA from the scene of the murder. Then, on Tuesday, detectives confirmed a 59-year-old man had been arrested in Newry and taken to Antrim Police Station for questioning. His house was also searched.
No other details have been released.
(JP/CD)
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