GERRY ADAMS SPENT his second night in custody at Antrim police station last night after his arrest on Wednesday in connection with the abduction and murder of Jean McConville in 1972.

A police spokesperson confirmed this morning that the Sinn Féin president is still being held and can initially be questioned today until between 8pm and 9pm. However detectives can still apply to a judge to have the detention period extended if necessary.

Yesterday the son of the murdered woman said he has information about the case but he believes he and his family would be killed by the IRA if he gives details about people involved to the police.

McConville, who was a mother of ten, was dragged from her home by up to twelve people in 1972. She was interrogated and shot in the head. It was not until 2003 that her body was found on a beach in Co Louth.

The Louth TD’s party came out strongly in his defence yesterday, with Mary-Lou McDonald saying his arrest was politically motivated, though the Taoiseach said neither his, nor any other political party, had anything to do with it.

Read: Michael McConville says the IRA will kill him if he names those involved in his mother’s murder>

Mary Lou: Gerry Adams is not a suspect and his arrest is politically motivated>