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Gerry Adams to be freed in Jean McConville murder inquiry | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams will be released from police custody after being held over a 1972 murder and a file will be sent to the Public Prosecution Service, the BBC has learned. | |
Mr Adams has been questioned at Antrim PSNI Station since Wednesday, after he was arrested in connection with the murder of Jean McConville. | |
The 37-year-old widow and mother of 10 was abducted from her home in west Belfast, shot and secretly buried by the IRA. | The 37-year-old widow and mother of 10 was abducted from her home in west Belfast, shot and secretly buried by the IRA. |
Her body was found a beach in County Louth in 2003. | Her body was found a beach in County Louth in 2003. |
Mr Adams has always denied involvement in the killing. | |
Sinn Féin had condemned the arrest, claiming it was political and hinting that they may reconsider their support for the police. | |
However, unionists said no-one should be above the law and Democratic Unionist leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson accused Sinn Fein of trying to "blackmail" the police. | |
The decision to release Mr Adams would mean that prosecution lawyers will decide if charges will be brought. | |
The file sent by the police to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) will detail the evidence gathered. | |
It will be up to PPS lawyers to decide if there is enough evidence to bring any charges and what those charges would be. | |
The test for prosecution is met if there is sufficient evidence that can be admitted in court to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction. Lawyers must also decide if the prosecution is required in the public interest. |