Man charged with 1974 custody escape

Published Monday, 17 September 2012

A 71-year-old man man arrested in connection with a murder in Belfast almost 40 years ago has been charged with escaping from custody.

The man was arrested and questioned at Bangor police station on Monday. (© UTV)

He was detained on Monday in connection with the April 1974 shooting of a woman in Belfast, and other offences.

Ellen McDowell, a 21-year-old Protestant, was walking home with her boyfriend in the Shankill area of the city when she was fatally shot.

It is believed that her boyfriend was the intended target and the shooting was part of an internal loyalist feud.

The case is currently being investigated by detectives from Serious Crime Branch.

PSNI officers, who arrested the pensioner in Newtownards, Co Down, later charged him with escaping from lawful custody in May 1974.

He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The pensioner will be reported to the Public Prosecution Service in relation to the murder and a number of other offences.

Comments

3 Comments

Nick Kent in Belfast wrote (274 days ago):

Never heard of Gerry McGeough Pat or would that unconfortable fact just get in the way of a good MOPE?

Police Lover in Bangor wrote (274 days ago):

Pat, catch a grip! A man has been reported to PPS, in relation to the murder of a Protestant girl in a Protestant area. Doesn't matter who carried it out and in the name of what cause. It happened and hopefully the culprit will be made amenable if convicted in court. It's always our side or their side with people like you. Very sad.

pat in belfast wrote (275 days ago):

why is the IRA past murders not being investiagated too ?? seems an unfair playing field in northern ireland now