Limavady man arrested in 2009 Prehen murder probe

A spokesperson for the PSNI told the Sentinel: “Detectives from the PSNI Serious Crime Branch, investigating the murder of Jim McConnel in February 2009, have arrested a 23 years old from the Limavady area. Mr McConnell, who was 38, was shot by two masked men at his home in Woodland Avenue in Derry on 11 February 2009.”

At the time, the PSNI described the murder of Mr McConnell as “cold, clinical and brutal”. Mayor of Londonderry in February 2009, Councillor Gerard Diver described the killing as an “assassination.”

The INLA later claimed responsibility for the murder, claiming in a statement to a Sunday newspaper in the Republic of Ireland that McConnell was a “major player in the drugs trade in Derry.”

The paramilitary organisation also claimed there was no breach of its “ceasefire” since police personnel and soldiers had not been targeted.

McConnell was shot by two gunmen at his home in Woodlands Avenue, in the Prehen area of Londonderry’s Waterside.

The PSNI said that the two gunmen entered the house and shot the victim, who died from his wounds later at Altnagelvin Hospital, before fleeing.

It has also emerged that two other men in the house at the time of the premises escaped unhurt.

At the time, Londonderry’s Mayor Gerard Diver told the Sentinel he was “horrified” to learn of the slaying, and added: “It bears all the hallmarks of an assassination, which is what it is.” Mr Diver also said people were “shocked”, since the murder occurred in a “quiet and settled area.”

Mr McConnell was shot four times. Two other rounds of live ammunition were later found on the floor after the murder weapon jammed.