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15/02/2016
Inquest Into Arlene Arkinson's Murder Begins
The SDLP said the actions of the police in the murdered teenager Arlene Arkinson case raises very serious issues that need urgent answers.
The inquest into the murder of Arlene Arkinson, 15, has begun at the Laganside Court complex in Belfast.
Arlene disappeared in August 1994 after a night out at a disco in Co Donegal.
She was last seen with convicted child killer Robert Howard, who died in prison last year.
SDLP Justice Spokesperson Alex Attwood MLA said: "This was always a deeply upsetting case that raised a broad range of questions. Today's developments have only made that situation more acute.
"There are enormous issues for the police and the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Minister to address and answer. The rush to suppress disclosure as a result of the joint actions taken by the PSNI and NIO is deeply questionable. To do so in a case of this character is incredible and raises questions in bag loads."
Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney said: "The use of Public Interest Immunity certificates in the case of the disappearance of 15-year-old Castlederg schoolgirl Arlene Arkinson is downright bizarre.
"It is completely unacceptable that the Secretary of State and NIO should be intervening to continue to deny a grieving family access to the truth of the death of their loved one.
"All of this raises even more serious questions about the Arlene Arkinson case which need answered.
"It emerged previously that the RUC Special Branch operated its own forensic service so the family need to know if any evidence was withheld from the initial investigation by Special Branch.
"We also had claims from a detective chief inspector from Kent who said he had been obstructed by the RUC while investigating the activities of Robert Howard.
"The Director of Public Prosecutions should now launch an inquiry to see if any evidence relating to the case was withheld."
(CD/LM)
The inquest into the murder of Arlene Arkinson, 15, has begun at the Laganside Court complex in Belfast.
Arlene disappeared in August 1994 after a night out at a disco in Co Donegal.
She was last seen with convicted child killer Robert Howard, who died in prison last year.
SDLP Justice Spokesperson Alex Attwood MLA said: "This was always a deeply upsetting case that raised a broad range of questions. Today's developments have only made that situation more acute.
"There are enormous issues for the police and the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Minister to address and answer. The rush to suppress disclosure as a result of the joint actions taken by the PSNI and NIO is deeply questionable. To do so in a case of this character is incredible and raises questions in bag loads."
Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney said: "The use of Public Interest Immunity certificates in the case of the disappearance of 15-year-old Castlederg schoolgirl Arlene Arkinson is downright bizarre.
"It is completely unacceptable that the Secretary of State and NIO should be intervening to continue to deny a grieving family access to the truth of the death of their loved one.
"All of this raises even more serious questions about the Arlene Arkinson case which need answered.
"It emerged previously that the RUC Special Branch operated its own forensic service so the family need to know if any evidence was withheld from the initial investigation by Special Branch.
"We also had claims from a detective chief inspector from Kent who said he had been obstructed by the RUC while investigating the activities of Robert Howard.
"The Director of Public Prosecutions should now launch an inquiry to see if any evidence relating to the case was withheld."
(CD/LM)
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14 August 2014
Appeal Over 'Mystery Women' In Arlene Arkinson Murder Case
Police have made an appeal regarding two "mystery women" as part of investigations into the murder of Tyrone teenager Arlene Arkinson twenty years ago. 15-year-old Arlene was last seen in the early hours of 14 August 1994. She disappeared after a night out in Bundoran, County Donegal.
Appeal Over 'Mystery Women' In Arlene Arkinson Murder Case
Police have made an appeal regarding two "mystery women" as part of investigations into the murder of Tyrone teenager Arlene Arkinson twenty years ago. 15-year-old Arlene was last seen in the early hours of 14 August 1994. She disappeared after a night out in Bundoran, County Donegal.
15 June 2018
Body Exhumed In Sligo Is Not Arlene Arkinson
A body exhumed from a grave in Sligo has been found to not be that of missing Tyrone teenager, Arlene Arkinson. In a report by the BBC, Kathleen Arkinson, said: "My hope in finding the remains of my sister, Arlene, have been dashed again. "I prayed it was Arlene and was devastated when I was told it wasn't. "We seem to suffer blow after blow.
Body Exhumed In Sligo Is Not Arlene Arkinson
A body exhumed from a grave in Sligo has been found to not be that of missing Tyrone teenager, Arlene Arkinson. In a report by the BBC, Kathleen Arkinson, said: "My hope in finding the remains of my sister, Arlene, have been dashed again. "I prayed it was Arlene and was devastated when I was told it wasn't. "We seem to suffer blow after blow.
17 September 2012
Arlene Arkinson Detectives Search Flat In Castlederg
A flat in Castlederg has been searched by detectives investigating the murder of missing teenager Arlene Arkinson. It's understood the flat, on Main Street, is the former home of child killer Robert Howard who was acquitted of her murder in 2005. Police have said it is a detailed forensic examination, not a search for human remains.
Arlene Arkinson Detectives Search Flat In Castlederg
A flat in Castlederg has been searched by detectives investigating the murder of missing teenager Arlene Arkinson. It's understood the flat, on Main Street, is the former home of child killer Robert Howard who was acquitted of her murder in 2005. Police have said it is a detailed forensic examination, not a search for human remains.
14 August 2018
Irish Police Urged To Co-Operate With Arlene Arkinson Investigation
The sister of Arlene Arkinson has called on An Gardaí Síochána to provide more information on bodies discovered in an exhumed grave earlier this year. It is understood that Gardaí – Irish police – exhumed a grave in County Sligo as part of an investigation into the disappearance of 15-year-old Arlene in 1994.
Irish Police Urged To Co-Operate With Arlene Arkinson Investigation
The sister of Arlene Arkinson has called on An Gardaí Síochána to provide more information on bodies discovered in an exhumed grave earlier this year. It is understood that Gardaí – Irish police – exhumed a grave in County Sligo as part of an investigation into the disappearance of 15-year-old Arlene in 1994.
19 September 2016
New Arlene Arkinson Search Ends
A new search operation launched by police investigating the disappearance of Arlene Arkinson has ended with "nothing suspicious" found. Police had cordoned off an area near Killen, outside Castlederg, last Thursday. The area is close to where Arlene was last seen alive with convicted child killer and rapist Robert Howard.
New Arlene Arkinson Search Ends
A new search operation launched by police investigating the disappearance of Arlene Arkinson has ended with "nothing suspicious" found. Police had cordoned off an area near Killen, outside Castlederg, last Thursday. The area is close to where Arlene was last seen alive with convicted child killer and rapist Robert Howard.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
