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A 69-YEAR-OLD MAN has been arrested in connection with a bomb attack on a Belfast pub in 1971.
Fifeteen people were killed when the bomb exploded in McGurk’s Bar in north Belfast.
The attack was carried out by loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).
Detectives from the Serious Crime Branch arrested the man in Antrim, he’s being questioned at the Serious Crime Suite at Antrim police station.
Review
Following a report by the Police Ombudsman in 2011, the Chief Constable undertook to review the case to identify any possible opportunities for further investigation.
A review process was carried out which has identified investigative potential.
The officer in charge of the renewed investigation said that the PSNI is looking to investigate possible lines of enquiry as thoroughly and quickly as possible, even with the years that have passed since the attack.
One man was convicted of all 15 murders in 1978.
Police enquiries are continuing.
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if the attacker didn’t have a difficult background theyd be saying he comes from a good home &the attack was “out of character for him ” that’s the Irish legal system for you the aggressor is always the victim.that said I’m amazed he got a jail sentence atall & wasnt just given around of applause and sent off with a suspended sentence
There’s no mention of it but to get thst sentence his previous convictions must of been high. Bad journalism for not including that
But hitting a complete stranger with a chair in McDonalds because the stranger’s friend gave you “bad vibes” doesn’t merit a custodial sentence? And judges wonder why they are despised…
In fairness that guy thought his victim was a little f****t whilst off his face on heroin. Extenuating circumstances, like.
Sounds severe to me. No real malice, no intent to harm, no premeditation, just a messy drunken scenario between acquaintances that got out of hand and resulted in two punches. Given the procession of pond life with 50+ previous convictions for serious crimes that walk from the courts daily, laughing at yet another suspended sentence, this case seems different given the information contained in the article.
He is one of those
@David Mac Shite:
No intent to harm?
What article did you read?
This offence is deserving of a 12 and a half year sentence so he gave him 5. Less than half. And he will probably be out in less than half that again. Joke
April 2014?! The wheels of justice are grinding to a halt
5 years for punching someone?
There are people charged with manslaughter, rape, child abuse, aggravated burglary, drunk driving resulting in death, embezzlement of millions etc etc and they get a lesser sentence.
Impossible to understand the logic of the Irish legal system.
Here we go again.just thinking ok, The number one training point for solicitors is to focus on the harsh and deprived upbringing their violent clients have had and that will surely get them off or a much reduced sentence.Its so wrong. This thug will do this again and again.
@Gerry Fallon:
Not for the next few years anyway.
What a total halfwit.
Ah come on,that was my first ever post.
Hopefully your last too
Zing!
Test
@Alex Falcone: did you read the article? Life changing injuries! He should have got the maximum sentence!
@Sylvia O’Regan: Our world is not a perfect place and sometimes you have to hit someone – most often without intention of “life changing injuries”.
Another light sentence but hopefully this serves as a warning. The victim was a bloody idiot. Who shouts abuse at random strangers on the street? Your asking for trouble
@John Reese:
You should read the story again. They knew one another. They were not total strangers.
If you want an insight of our judical system and the waste of time and money ,Go to high court,judments and determinations asylum
Whilst it’s not nor excusable something tells me from reading above the victim was total slime. Anyone saying paki or threatening to stab someone someone in the neck with a needle and pestering is a laughing stock of the world. Slimiest lowest of the low. Pathetic.
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