RUC murder: Man arrested for firearms offenses released on bail

A 73-year-old man has been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of firearms offenses linked to the murder of an RUC officer in 1975.

Seamus Christopher O'Kane, originally from Magherafelt, had lived for years in Skryne Road, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath.

He was arrested at 7:16 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Gardaí (Irish police) said the charges related to weapons believed to be linked to the murder of Coun Robert John McPherson and the attempted murder of his colleague in Dungiven, County Londonderry, on July 26, 1975.

A prosecution lawyer told the High Court in Dublin that an arrest warrant issued by the Northern Ireland authorities was approved by Mr Justice McDermott on May 13.

The detective told the court he arrested Mr O'Kane at his home in Meath after asking Mr O'Kane to identify himself.

He confirmed that he was born in Garvagh, was of Irish nationality and held an Irish passport.

He was transported to Navan Garda Station, arrested and cautioned.

The court heard the offenses related to an incident on February 16, 1976, when a military observation team observed suspicious activity on a farm in County Londonderry.

Officers arrived at the farm and conducted a search during which explosives, firearms and ammunition were found.

Two electric detonators, a burnishing gun, a rifle, a Remington shotgun, ammunition and explosives.

Mr O'Kane was found hiding in an upstairs bedroom.

In an interview, he admitted possession and said the owner had no knowledge of firearms or explosives.

Following his arrest, Mr. O'Kane escaped from Maze Prison in 1976.

An arrest warrant was issued and extradition was requested by the United Kingdom.

The Irish Supreme Court refused extradition due to the alleged political nature of the offenses.

Since then, he has lived in Ireland.

Garda Keane said the weapons were linked to the murder of the RUC officer in Dungiven in 1975.

The defense lawyer said the case was “a matter of some complexity” because of Britain's new law relating to crimes committed during the Troubles.

Because of the complexities, Mr Berry said it would be “much easier to prepare if he was released on bail”.

The State agreed and proposed that Mr O'Kane reside at home and sign in three times a week at Ashbourne Garda Station and provide a mobile number to be contacted.

An Garda Síochána detectives also arrested another man, aged 72, in County Donegal early on Wednesday morning.

The 72-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The arrests were made under a Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TaCA) warrant as part of a joint operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Detectives from the PSNI's Legacy Investigation Branch also arrested a 71-year-old man in the Dungiven area as part of the same investigation.

A decision to prosecute the three people was made by the Crown Prosecution Service ahead of the Northern Ireland (Inheritance and Reconciliation) Act 2023 coming into force on 1 May 2024.

A date has been set for the hearing of the application for June 19.

The extradition hearing will take place on July 2 and 3.