Murder suspect got On-the-Run letter

Here's Gordon Adair's report on the case.

The PSNI has apologised to a murder victim's family after it emerged a man considered to be a chief suspect was mistakenly given an On the Run letter. A lawyer for the coroner said Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly's role over the letter was a matter of public concern. Gareth O'Connor was 24 when he disappeared in May 2003. He had been on his way to Dundalk Garda Station to sign as part of his bail conditions after being charged with membership of the Real IRA. He never got there. Two years later, a car containing his body was dragged from Newry Canal. His family have always believed he was killed by the Provisional IRA, despite assurances to the contrary from senior figures in the republican movement, including Mr Kelly. On Monday, it emerged that in 2008 an On The Run letter was issued to a leading suspect. The letter was delivered to that man by Sinn Féin MLA Mr Kelly. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30980541