Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has criticised the police investigation into the dissident republican murder of Catholic officer Ronan Kerr.
The Sinn Féin minister was among the senior figures who led cross-community condemnation of the killing in April.
But, in an unusual step, he has now criticised the investigation and questioned the arrest of a man (22) in Coalisland, Co Tyrone, who has since been released by police.
Mr McGuinness said: “I have been in contact with the PSNI at the top level to register my dissatisfaction and annoyance at the operation in Coalisland. Nobody who knows this young man and his family are in any doubt that he has no link whatsoever to the murder of Ronan Kerr.
“The nature of the operation has caused widespread anger in the local community. That is a reality the PSNI will now have to face.”
In a response the PSNI said it carried out its investigations to the highest standards “without fear or favour in accordance with the law”.
Constable Kerr was killed when a booby-trap bomb exploded under his car outside his home in Omagh, Co Tyrone, on April 2nd.
Mr McGuinness had famously branded dissidents as traitors to Ireland after earlier attacks by the groups opposed to the peace process.
Constable Kerr’s murder sparked an unprecedented display of political unity against the violence. Mr McGuinness was prominent as the leaders of unionism and mainstream republicanism stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the police at the young officer’s funeral.
On Tuesday detectives investigating the murder, as well as what police described as “associated incidents”, arrested five men ranging in age from 22 to 46.
The operation, which included searches at a number of locations and involved 200 officers, was followed yesterday by the arrest of a woman (23).
But last night, after police confirmed the release of the 22-year-old man who had been detained in Coalisland, Mr McGuinness issued his broadside against the investigation.
The Mid Ulster MP said: “I know the family of the young man arrested in Coalisland. It was claimed by the PSNI that the arrest and search operation at his family home was in connection with the murder of Ronan Kerr.”
Mr McGuinness said the arrest featured prominently in the media and he added: “The young man who was arrested and subsequently released today was in the USA at the time of that murder and was in no way involved in it.”
The Deputy First Minister said: “People are in no doubt where I stand in relation to the killers of Ronan Kerr. I believe that the PSNI have a duty to properly investigate this murder.
“However the arrest and release of this young man raises very serious questions about the quality of the current PSNI investigation.
“Bad policing operations in republican communities will do nothing to bring his killers to justice. Indeed if anything the opposite is the case.”
But a spokesperson for the PSNI said: “This investigation is protracted and wide-ranging, encompassing the murder of constable Kerr and associated incidents. It is being conducted to the highest professional standards.
“Police have a duty to follow all lines of inquiry without fear or favour in accordance with the law.”
Police later said the remaining four men had been released last night while the woman (23) detained yesterday remains in custody.
A £50,000 (€56,895) reward remains on offer for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Constable Kerr’s murder.
Later Northern Ireland chief constable Matt Baggott hit back at Sinn Féin criticism over arrests by his officers.
Mr Baggott said: “The investigation into the murder of Ronan Kerr, and other very serious associated crimes, is complex and will take considerable time to complete.
“It is being conducted under the law and future charges remain the responsibility of the independent Public Prosecution Service. Any comment is therefore premature.
“My assurance is that the investigation will remain methodical and relentless and will continue to be absolutely impartial and completely free of political influence.”
PA