Independent TD offers independent surety for man accused of RUC officer murder in Dungiven

Independent TD Thomas Pringle has offered a bail surety at the High Court for a man wanted in Northern Ireland to face a charge that he murdered an RUC officer nearly 50 years ago.

Detective Sergeant Adrian Murray told the court this afternoon that he arrested 72-year-old John Edward McNicholl this morning (Wednesday) at the defendant's home in Newmills, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

Mr McNicholl was then brought before the High Court in Dublin just hours after Seamus Christopher O'Kane (73) appeared there on a firearms and explosives warrant linked to the same murder.

A warrant for Mr McNicholl's arrest was issued following a request by the Northern Irish authorities, where Mr McNicholl is alleged to have murdered RUC constable Robert John McPherson and to have attempted to murder a second RUC officer on July 26, 1975.

Constable McPherson was from Leck, outside Coleraine in Co Derry. He was shot dead in an INLA ambush in Dungiven Main Street around midday. He was hit by a single shot when he and a colleague were ambushed as they investigated a report of a suspect car. His fellow officer was hit multiple times but survived.

Mr McNicholl faces four further charges relating to the possession of explosives and firearms on February 16, 1976 at Garvagh, Co Derry. The court heard that an RUC-issued firearm retrieved at that location had been taken during the ambush on Constable McPherson.

Sgt Murray said that when he asked Mr McNicholl this morning if he knew about these offences, he replied: "Ah, I do yeah." The detective said he was satisfied that the man he arrested is the man wanted in Northern Ireland. Mr McNicholl's barrister, Simon Crowley BL, said identity is not an issue in the case.

John Kerr BL, for the Minister for Justice, said there is consent to bail and that a relation of Mr McNicholl had offered to make a cash lodgement of €7,000. There was also an independent surety available from Deputy Thomas Pringle, he said.

Mr Kerr said the minister is not objecting to bail subject to Mr McNicholl undertaking to surrender all travel documents and sign on three times weekly at Letterkenny Garda Station. He will be required to live at Newmills and be of good behaviour.

Mr Justice Patrick McGrath consented to bail when the cash lodgements and sureties have been undertaken. The case will come before the court again on June 19 but Mr Justice McGrath said the hearing will take place on July 2 and 3.