The PSNI has reopened a 37-year-old murder case after “new lines of inquiry” were identified. Police appealed for anyone with information about the killing of RUC inspector Bill Elliott (48) in September 1974 to come forward.
Mr Elliott was shot dead by the Official IRA as he investigated an armed robbery at the Ulster Bank in Rathcoole, north Belfast. Two men were convicted of involvement, including the writer Ronan Bennett, who was convicted of murder and jailed for life but was later acquitted after his conviction was overturned on appeal.
The Historical Enquiries Team carried out a cold case examination and handed over its findings to the PSNI. It only does this when it believes a criminal prosecution is possible.
