Republican freed in Dungannon shooting probe

A leading republican arrested for questioning about the killing of a Catholic taxi driver in Co Tyrone was today released without…

A leading republican arrested for questioning about the killing of a Catholic taxi driver in Co Tyrone was today released without charge.

The man was detained at his home in the Dungannon area on Saturday morning and questioned about the shooting of Mr Barney McDonald.

Mr McDonald's family had accused the IRA of carrying out the killing, claiming it followed a row between the victim and a top IRA man a week earlier.

It has been claimed 51-year-old Mr McDonald beat up the man in revenge for an attack on one of his sons.

READ MORE

Security sources have also pointed the finger of blame in the direction of republicans and said it may have been the result of a feud.

Republicans in turn have insisted they are innocent and that the murder was carried out by loyalists.

Mr McDonald was shot in the head as he waited in his cab outside a snooker club in the village of Donaghmore near Dungannon where he had been called to pick up a passenger.

PA