24/05/2002

Man charged with murder of Castlederg teenager

A 58-year-old unemployed man has been charged with the murder of Castlederg teenager Arlene Arkinson who disappeared eight years ago.

Appearing before Enniskillen Magistrates’ court on Friday, Robert Howard, who is originally from southern Ireland gave his address as Belmarsh Prison in England. A police inspector told the court that he believed he could connect Robert Howard to the charge.

Police brought Robert Howard to Northern Ireland from England earlier this week.

Arlene, 15, disappeared in August 1994 from her home in Castlederg, County Tyrone after attending a disco in Bundoran, County Donegal.

Despite a major hunt by police on both sides of the border no sign of the missing girl has been found.

(AMcE)

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