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Ex-soldier held over 1974 army shooting

A RETIRED British soldier has been arrested by detectives investigating the 1974 shooting of a man with learning difficulties in Northern Ireland.

John Pat Cunningham, 27, was shot by the army in a field in Benburb, Co Armagh.

A 73-year-old man was arrested in England and is being taken to Northern Ireland for questioning.

The murder case was reopened by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), but victims’ families said that they would only give their backing to an inquiry independent of the force.

In a statement on behalf of Mr Cunningham’s family, human rights advocacy group the Pat Finucane Centre said: “While family members have cautiously welcomed the arrest, they will only have ­confidence in an investigative process that is completely independent of the PSNI.

“Cunningham family members said in October 2013 that they wish to see all investigations into British army killings, including that of John Pat, being investigated by an independent body.”

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