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.
Antrim
Elderly man arrested over 1974 murder of 27-year-old with mental age of 6 year old
The case of John Pat Cunningham was reopened this year.
A 73-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested in England by detectives investigating the murder of 27-year-old John Pat Cunningham in 1974.
The suspect is being brought to Northern Ireland for questioning at the Serious Crime Suite in Antrim police station.
John Pat Cunningham was shot in a field not far from his home in Benburb after running away from the army patrol on 15 June 1974.
The 27-year-old had a mental age of between 6 and 10 and feared men in uniforms following a number of previous incidents.
The case was re-opened and a murder investigation started following an assessment of the available evidence.
Two years ago the British Government apologised for the killing but neither of the soldiers suspected of the shooting have been disciplined or have given official accounts of what happened.
The PSNI’s now defunct Historical Enquiries Team had previously concluded that, “John Pat’s death was an absolute tragedy that should not have happened.”
have your say