Former detective released without charge

A former RUC detective who was arrested by Police Ombudsman investigators examining the murder case of 22-year-old Raymond McCord in 1997, has been released without charge.

Johnston Brown was arrested by officers at Belfast International airport as he returned home from a holiday on Wednesday evening.

Two other former detectives, Chief Superintendent Tom Meek and Constable Trevor McIlrath, who were arrested on Wednesday morning following police searches at two premises, were also released without charge.

The three men are believed to have been questioned over a number of matters including attempting to pervert the course of justice and misconduct in public office.

The arrests form part of a major Police Ombudsman investigation arising from a complaint made by the victim's father, also Raymond McCord, into the police handling of the investigation of his son's murder in 1997.

Raymond McCord Jnr was beaten to death by the UVF, and his body was dumped at a quarry in Newtownabbey.

Since his death, it has been claimed that at least one of those responsible for his murder was working for police Special Branch, which led to a major investigation by the Police Ombudsman's office.

The ombudsman's investigation also includes the death of 27-year-old Sharon McKenna, who was also murdered by the UVF in north Belfast in 1992.

Ms McKenna, a Catholic taxi driver from Newtownabbey, was shot with a 12-bore shotgun during a sectarian attack while making dinner for an elderly friend.

An interim report has already been submitted to the Public Prosecution Service and a report is expected to be published next month.

(EF)