The identity of a policeman who attempted to arrest an IRA leader moments before he was shot dead by paratroopers remains unknown, a court has heard.
The RUC Special Branch officer initiated a chain of events that resulted in Official IRA commander Joe McCann, 24, being shot by soldiers as he tried to evade detention in the Markets area of Belfast in April 1972.
The murder trial of two former paratroopers who fired at Mr McCann as he ran down Joy Street heard a statement provided by the RUC officer following the fatal shooting.
Joe McCann’s widow Anne (centre) and family with their solicitor Niall Murphy (right) arriving to Laganside Court in Belfast on Tuesday (Liam McBurney/PA)
Legacy inquiry into Joe McCann shooting found no new or compelling evidence
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Legacy probe into Joe McCann shooting found no new or compelling evidence
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