Detectives from An Garda Siochana have arrested a 66 year old man in Donegal on suspicion of the murder of two Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) soldiers in Fermanagh in 1972. He was also arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting an explosion.

The man has been named by the Press Association as John Downey, who stood trial for the 1982 Hyde Park bombings in which four soldiers were killed.

The trial collapsed due to the so called "on-the-run" letter Downey had recieved from the UK Government which said he was not wanted by police.

Downey's arrest in Donegal was made under a European Arrest warrant as part of a joint operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

He is expected to appear at Dublin High Court tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday 6 November).

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team, said: “The PSNI has been liaising closely with An Garda Siochana and today’s arrest demonstrates the benefits of joint working between police forces and other national partner agencies.

“Lance Corporal Alfred Johnston – a father of 4 - and Private James Eames – a father of 3 - died when a device exploded in a car they were checking on the Irvinestown Road, Cherrymount, Enniskillen in 1972.

“The PSNI investigation into these murders remains active.”