Man charged in Nelson inquiry

Police officers leading the inquiry into the murder of solicitor, Ms Rosemary Nelson, have charged a 60-year-old man with firearm…

Police officers leading the inquiry into the murder of solicitor, Ms Rosemary Nelson, have charged a 60-year-old man with firearm offences.

In a statement, police said the accused had already appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Saturday. He is due back in court this morning. Another man arrested at the same time has been released without charge. Ms Nelson, a Catholic mother-of-three. was killed when a booby-trap car bomb exploded beneath her car in March 1999. The dissident loyalist group, the Red Hand Defenders said it carried out the murder.

The police investigation into Ms Nelson's death is headed by the Deputy Chief Constable of Norfolk, Mr Colin Port. Although several people have been questioned about the murder in the past, all have been released without charge.

Meanwhile, a 41-year-old Portadown man arrested early yesterday morning in connection with serious terrorist offences was still being questioned by detectives last night.