Man released after shots fired on day of former INLA prisoner's funeral

Man in his 30s arrested in Newtownabbey released unconditionally

Author: Tara MclaughlinPublished 25th May 2019
Last updated 25th May 2019

A man arrested after shots were fired on the day of a funeral for a republican has been released unconditionally.

The incident came following the death of former INLA prisoner Michael McElkerney.

Photographs emerged of a masked gunman firing a rifle into the air outside Mr McElkerney's home in the Divis area of west Belfast.

On Saturday morning, the PSNI said detectives have arrested a 35-year-old man under the Terrorism Act.

"The male was arrested in the Newtownabbey area last night on suspicion of membership of a proscribed organisation and is being questioned in the serious crime suite at Musgrave police station,'' a PSNI spokesman said.

"The investigation into this incident is ongoing and police continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact police on 101 or alternatively, information can be provided anonymously by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

He was later released unconditionally.