Man appears in Dublin court in relation to murder of three RUC officers in 1982

A 61-year-old man has appeared in court in relation to the murder of three Northern Ireland policemen in an IRA bomb attack in 1982.

Martin John McCauley, with an address at Esmondale, Naas, Co Kildare, appeared before the High Court in Dublin after being arrested on foot of an extradition warrant.

Detective Sergeant Adrian Murray told the court that he arrested McCauley in Naas at 6.41pm on Wednesday after asking him several questions to establish his identity.

Mr Murray also said he showed him a copy of the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement in the English language.

He identified McCauley to the court on Thursday as the man at the back of the room in an orange top.

He said the warrant related to the PSNI investigation into the murder of Royal Ulster Constabulary Sergeant Sean Quinn and constables Allan McCloy and Paul Hamilton.

The three RUC officers were killed in an IRA blast at Kinnego Embankment in Co Armagh on October 27 1982.

Mr Murray told the court that a bomb was placed on a culvert and detonated remotely from a vantage point overlooking the road.

He said the detonation site was on a raised embankment and a plastic sheeting was placed on the embankment.

He added that it is believed the car bomb was detonated by two members of the IRA and described the attack as “carefully” planned.

The detective also referred to forensic evidence in the case against McCauley.

The court heard that McCauley’s role in the incident has not yet been determined, but he will be charged with the murder of the three RUC officers on 27 October 1982.

The detective said when he asked McCauley if he knew what the charges were about, he answered no.

Mr Murray objected to bail due to the serious nature of the incident.

Andrew Moriarty, representing McCauley in court, said they would be applying for bail and that McCauley was “entirely anchored to this jurisdiction”.

He also told the court that McCauley has “indicated his preparedness” to be interviewed by PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher.

Ms Justice Miriam O’Regan said she was satisfied that the man in court was the man named in the warrant, Martin John McCauley.

“I’m satisfied that the correct person is before the court,” she said.

She adjourned the matter until next Wednesday when it will appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice and remanded McCauley in custody.

In a statement released after Thursday’s court appearance, a solicitor acting for McCauley said that he denies the charges and will contest the extradition proceedings.

In a statement, a spokesman for Madden and Finucane solicitors said: “Our client Martin McCauley was arrested yesterday (Wednesday) by An Garda Siochana and appeared in Dublin High Court this morning.

“Mr McCauley denies the charges and will contest the extradition proceedings at any future hearing.”

Sir Iain Livingstone, the head of Operation Kenova said: “The Public Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Martin McCauley with the murders of the three officers and he has now been arrested pending extradition to Northern Ireland.

“The decision to prosecute more than 40 years after the incident show the rigour and application Kenova has applied to this investigation and that evidence will now be tested by a court.

“Our thoughts remain with the three officers’ families who have continued to act with courage and great dignity over the past four decades.”

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said the decision to prosecute was taken in April, before controversial new legacy laws came into effect, which prevent new cases being mounted.

A PPS spokesperson said: “Following careful consideration of all the available evidence in a file submitted by Operation Kenova, the PPS took a decision to prosecute one individual in relation to the 1982 murders of Sergeant Sean Quinn and Constables Allan McCloy and Paul Hamilton.

“As proceedings are live it would not be appropriate to comment further.”