Man arrested in connection with two unsolved murders of Catholic men in Belfast 25 years ago
News

Man arrested in connection with two unsolved murders of Catholic men in Belfast 25 years ago

DETECTIVES from the PSNI Legacy Investigation Branch have arrested a 65-year-old man in connection with two unsolved Belfast murders.

John Benedict Devine and John Joseph Gerard O'Hara were shot in separate attacks in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The attacks are believed to have been carried out by Loyalist gunmen.

Mr Devine, 37 was fatally shot at his home in Fallswater Street, west Belfast, July, 23 1989.

Mr O’Hara 41 was shot in his taxi in Duncluce Avenue in the south of the city as he waited to pick up a passenger.

The unit announced in September 2015 that they would be re-opening investigations into the murders.

Detective Inspector Neil McGuinness, from Legacy Investigation Branch said:

“The 65-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murders of John Benedict Devine in the Fallswater Street area of West Belfast on 23 July, 1989, and the murder of John Joseph Gerard O’Hara in the Dunluce Avenue area of South Belfast on 17 April, 1991.

The man was arrested in Belfast yesterday and is currently helping police with their enquiries."

Devine John Benedict Devine

An PSNI spokesperson has confirmed the man remained in custody overnight. No charges have yet been made in relation to either murder.

The PSNI Legacy Investigation Branch PSNI special Unit was set up in 2014 to replace the Historic Enquires Team.