Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams arrested over 1972 murder of woman

Gerry Adams has been detained by Northern Ireland police in connection to one of the Troubles' most shocking murders

By Dave Lancaster |

10:21 01 May 2014

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has been arrested in relation to the 1972 killing of 37-year-old widow and mother of 10 Jean McConville during the Northern Ireland Troubles. 

 

McConville was kidnapped, killed and secretly buried just before Christmas in 1972 - an action and subsequent investigation that has haunted Adams' political career for decades.

 

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Office was quoted by the Guardian: "This is entirely an operational matter for the PSNI."

 

Meanwhile, a PSNI spokesman said: "Detectives from the serious crime branch investigating the abduction and murder of Jean McConville in 1972 have arrested a 65-year-old man in Antrim. The suspect is currently being interviewed by detectives at the serious crime suite in Antrim police station."

 

As Adams walked into the police station on Wednesday evening, he told RTE television that he had nothing to do with the IRA 'disappearing' of McConville. 

 

In a statement, Sinn Féin said: "Last month Gerry Adams said he was available to meet the PSNI about the Jean McConville case. That meeting is taking place this evening."

 

Adams released a statement shortly aftger his arrest: "I believe that the killing of Jean McConville and the secret burial of her body was wrong and a grievous injustice to her and her family.

 

"Well-publicised, malicious allegations have been made against me. I reject these. While I have never disassociated myself from the IRA and I never will, I am innocent of any part in the abduction, killing or burial of Mrs McConville."