Northern Ireland

Man arrested in England in connection with 1992 IRA mortar bomb killing of RUC Constable Colleen McMurray

Constable McMurray was killed, and colleague lost both legs, in attack on unmarked vehicle in Newry

RUC woman Colleen McMurray was killed by the IRA in Newry in 1992
RUC woman Colleen McMurray was killed by the IRA in Newry in 1992

Police have arrested a man in connection with the killing of Constable Colleen McMurray, an RUC officer murdered in an IRA mortar bomb attack in Newry in 1992.

The 59-year-old was arrested at Birmingham Airport by officers attached to the PSNI’s legacy investigation branch with support from the West Midlands’ counter terrorism team.

He faces questioning at Musgrave station in Belfast over the March 1992 incident, that killed Constable McMurray, Her colleague, Paul Slaine, lost both his legs in the attack on the city’s Merchant’s Quay.

PACEMAKER BELFAST Coleen McMurry Ruc officer killed in car attacked by mortar bomb in Newry 27/3/92
21/02/2024
Detectives from Police Service of Northern Irelands Legacy Investigation Branch, investigating the murder of Constable Colleen McMurray and the attempted murder of her colleague in a mortar attack in Newry in 1992, have today made an arrest.

The 59 year old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act at Birmingham Airport, with the assistance of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, and will be transported to Northern Ireland for questioning in the Serious Crime Suite at Musgrave Police Station.
Detectives from Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Legacy Investigation Branch, investigating the murder of Constable Colleen McMurray and the attempted murder of her colleague in a mortar attack in Newry in 1992, have today made an arrest PICTURE: PACEMAKER

Ms McMurray was a passenger in the unmarked vehicle hit as it travelled along the quay.

Her killing, and the injuring of Mr Slaine, was the subject of a Police Ombudsman report only completed in 2021, 17 years after questions were raised by the family and others.

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There were claims RUC Special Branch had prior information of an attack and could have prevented the death. This claim was based largely on the testimony of a former agent operating in the area.

The ombudsman’s report concluded the agent did not provide the RUC intelligence which could have prevented the attack, adding the individual should have been regarded as a suspect.

PACEMAKER BELFAST Coleen McMurry Ruc officer killed in car attacked by mortar bomb in Newry 27/3/92
21/02/2024
Detectives from Police Service of Northern Irelands Legacy Investigation Branch, investigating the murder of Constable Colleen McMurray and the attempted murder of her colleague in a mortar attack in Newry in 1992, have today made an arrest.

The 59 year old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act at Birmingham Airport, with the assistance of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, and will be transported to Northern Ireland for questioning in the Serious Crime Suite at Musgrave Police Station.
Marion Russell, a sister of Colleen McMurray, and husband Philip McMurray outside the Police Ombudsman's office following 2021 publication of report into her killing.

However, the ombudsman did conclude there were “investigative failings” by the police following the attack.

In a statement following the publication of the report, widower Philip said: “The findings whilst welcomed in part do not go far enough.”

Mr McMurray added: “It is clear RUC Special Branch held intelligence on key suspects involved in the murder of Constable McMurray.

“The families are of the view there was collusion between the PIRA and British security forces which is politically difficult for both the Provisional IRA and the British State to allow to be investigated.”