A DONEGAL murder investigation resulted in gardai arresting a woman following a killing 18 years ago.
Local man Andrew Burns, pictured, was 27 years old when he was shot dead at Donnyloop in Castlefin on February 12, 2008.
The woman who was arrested is in her 60s and was detained at a Garda station in the north-west region yesterday (Thursday) but was released today (Friday).
A Garda spokesperson said: “The woman arrested in connection with this investigation has since been released without charge. A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.”
Fresh appeals have been issued by gardai in relation to the murder, nearly two decades after the Mr Burns was killed.
Mr Burns received a number of gunshot wounds and was later found on a roadway close to Donnyloop Church and pronounced dead.
Garda investigators have worked on the theory that a number of individuals were involved in his murder.
One person, a man from Strabane in Tyrone, was convicted of his murder and sentenced to life in prison.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Andrew’s family remain devastated by this heinous act and continue to struggle to come to terms with his murder.
“An Garda Síochána are very grateful for all the witnesses that have come forward and made statements in the intervening years.”
He added: “A Family Liaison Officer continues to support the family of the deceased.
“Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information to come forward, in particular, the occupant or occupants of a red van that it is believed to have been in the area of Donnyloop at around 7pm on the evening of Tuesday, 12 February, 2008.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 9167100, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”
The Garda investigation team has made it known that it does not believe that the “occupant or occupants of this red vehicle” were in “any way connected with the murder of Andrew”.
The Garda spokesperson said: “But they may have vital information to offer due to their presence at the car park at Donnyloop church on the evening in question.”
The woman arrested was detained pursuant to Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.