Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
PSNI
Cold Case
Man arrested in England in connection with 20-year-old Belfast murder case
The 46-year-old is the third person to be arrested since the case was reopened last week.
A THIRD MAN has been arrested in relation to the murder of Joseph Reynolds in Belfast 20 years ago.
The 46-year-old was detained by PSNI detectives in England. No further details about the suspect are available at this stage.
The other two men arrested since the case was reopened last week have been released unconditionally.
Police in Belfast announced last Friday that it had reopened the investigation into the murder of Reynolds, a 40-year-old painter and father of five. He was gunned down as he drove to work on the morning of 12 October 1993.
He died from gunshot injuries to the head after his attackers ambushed the red Nissan van he and seven others were travelling in.
Recalling the events of the day, detectives have said he stopped at a pedestrian crossing on Sydenham Road at 8.25am to allow two men to cross.
The men, who were wearing blue boilersuits and flat caps, then walked across the road at Fraser Street but when they drew level with the van, they opened fire with a handgun and rifle.
At the same time, another man in a stolen light blue Astra car, which had pulled up behind the van, also opened fire.
The victim’s work colleagues got the van to the factory where medical assistance was provided. However, he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Three of the other seven men were also injured.
The three gunmen ran off down Fraser Street, across the Sydenham by-pass to Ballymacarrett Road where they drove off in a dark blue Vauxhall Astra.
A number of arrests were made in the original police investigation but no one has ever been charged.
have your say