Three charged in connection with 1975 murder of RUC officer

Three men have been arrested over the murder of RUC Constable Robert John McPherson and the attempted murder of a second officer in Dungiven, Co Londonderry, on July 26 1975.

A 71-year-old man who was arrested on Wednesday morning at his home in Dungiven has appeared in court in Londonderry charged with firearms and explosives offences dating back to 1976.

Joseph Gerard Kelly from Glenview Park in Dungiven is charged with possessing two electronic detonators and two pressure mats with intent to endanger life on February 16, 1976.

He is further charged with possessing the items under suspicious circumstances on the same date.

Kelly is additionally charged with possessing two Walther pistols, a .22 rifle, a Browning pistol and a Remington shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life, also on February 16, 1976, and with possessing the items in suspicious circumstances.

Applying for bail defence solicitor Seamus Quigley told District Judge Barney McElholm that the warrant for the defendant's arrest had been issued in April of this year. Mr Quigley said the defendant "has been living openly at his home for the past twenty years".

A detective sergeant from the PSNI's Legacy Investigations Branch said bail conditions in the case were agreed. They included the defendant surrendering his passport and not applying for any new passport, that the defendant should continue to live at his home address and that he would report one a week to Limavady PSNI station.

The District Judge released the defendant on his own bail of £500 and the case was adjourned until July 10 when it will be mentioned at Limavady court sitting in Coleraine.

Meanwhile two men, aged 73 and 72, were arrested by gardai in Co Meath and Co Donegal on Wednesday morning and due to appear in court later.

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