February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Sean Mackin, a U.S. citizen, was detained in police custody for 24 hours and questioned about the murder of an RUC reservist in County Tyrone 21 years ago. He was released without charge, although the police say they are sending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Sinn Fein said Mackin, originally from Belfast, was violently dragged from his car and punched by the police during the arrest operation. He called out to a child on the street to alert his sister, Roisin, who lives nearby.
Mackin, a frequent visitor to Belfast, was visiting his family for the Easter holidays. He won political refugee status in a landmark decision a dozen years ago in the U.S. courts.
Republican sources dismissed any suggestion that Mackin was genuinely wanted for questioning about the 1983 murder of Reserve Constable Colin Carson, whose murder was claimed by both the IRA and INLA.
In 1985, two men, one an ex-IRA hunger striker from County Tyrone, were jailed for their part in the killing. Gunmen had opened fire on him outside Cookstown RUC station.
It’s understood that in 1989, in connection with Mackin’s fight against deportation in U.S. courts, the RUC stated it had no cause to seek him or question him on any charges.
Sinn Fein policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly described the arrest as “vindictive” and “outrageous.” He said Sinn Fein had been in contact with the U.S. Consulate regarding the matter.
“This action coming in the week when evidence of the Special Branch involvement in various criminal activities, including murder, was unveiled by Judge Cory is further evidence of the influence of the old regime over current policing arrangements,” he said.
The Mackin arrest came three weeks after a former INLA man, Joseph Magee, who successfully fought extradition from the Republic, was charged with the 1992 killing of a British soldier and taken to Derby in England.
Some observers believe the police are trying to make a political point about the past at a time when they are themselves under pressure to tell the truth about collusion with loyalists.