McGurk's Bar Bomb: Man Arrested

A 75-year-old man has been arrested in relation to a bomb attack on a bar in north Belfast that became one of the worst atrocities carried out during the Troubles.

The UVF claimed responsibility for the bomb attack on McGurk’s Bar in 1971 in which 15 people were killed.

Detectives from the PSNI Serious Crime Branch arrested the man in east Belfast. He has been taken to the Serious Crime Suite at Antrim police station for questioning.

The move follows a report by the Police Ombudsman in 2011, after which the Chief Constable undertook to review the case to identify any possible opportunities for further investigation.

A review process that initially involved the Historical Enquiries Team and more recently detectives in Serious Crime Branch, was carried out.

The officer leading the renewed investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Justyn Galloway, said: "Despite the passage of time, there remain a number of opportunities to make progress. We will do our best to develop these lines of enquiry as thoroughly and quickly as possible.

"At the same time, I would ask those individuals who know who was involved in this attack on 4 December 1971 to talk to us. Much has changed in the four decades since this terrible atrocity but the families of the victims and survivors continue to suffer. I would ask that anyone with information or suspicions about this bomb attack to come forward."

Anyone with information can contact detectives by telephone on 02891801507 or email zMIT3@psni.pnn.police.uk. Alternatively, people can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and provide information anonymously.

One man was convicted for all 15 murders in 1978. Families of the victims have been advised of today’s arrest.

(IT/MH)