Two arrested in connection with 1973 loyalist murder

Police in Britain working with the PSNI have arrested two men in connection with a loyalist murder of a Catholic teenager in north Belfast 40 years ago.

The PSNI said new lines of inquiry are being pursued in the case, which many thought had gone cold.

A 59-year-old man from Falkirk was taken in for questioning in Glasgow while a 61-year-old was arrested in London.

Seamus Gilmore (18) was shot dead at a filling station on February 4th, 1973. Gunmen from the UVF are thought to have been responsible.

Two men got out of a hijacked car at the station on the Ballysillan Road in the city and shot Mr Gilmore to death.

A statement from the dead man’s family released immediately after news of the two arrests expressed forgiveness for the murder of Seamus.

“We appreciate the efforts of the PSNI which have culminated in these arrests,” they said.

“We have forgiven those who took Seamus’s life and we pray for them. Our priority now is our 82-year-old mother, and [we] will make no further comment on this matter.”

Det Insp Chris Wilson of the PSNI confirmed the advances in the investigation: “Following a review process, a number of new lines of inquiry have been identified. I have spoken to the Gilmore family to keep them updated on developments.”