Prison officer murder: pair freed

Two men being held in connection with the murder of prison officer David Black have been released without charge.

High profile republican Colin Duffy, 44, and a second man aged 31 were detained in Lurgan, Co Armagh, just miles from where Mr Black was ambushed on the M1 motorway on his way to work at the top security prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim.

A spokeswoman for the PSNI said the pair had been released unconditionally.

A third man arrested by Gardai is still being questioned in Co Leitrim.

Duffy has been cleared of murder charges on three separate previous occasions - the latest last January after two soldiers were shot dead outside Massereene Army barracks in March 2009.

He was arrested on Friday at his home in the Kilwilkie estate where republicans opposed to the peace process have huge support.

Politicians on all sides condemned the murder of the prison officer, who was planning to retire next year after more than 30 years of service.

Enda Kenny, the Irish Republic's Prime Minister who was in Armagh for talks with Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, said the dissident republicans had been linked to criminality and drug dealing which had also led to deaths on the streets of Dublin.

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton strongly condemned the murder as senseless and applauded the efforts of police to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"There is no justification for this outrageous and cowardly act," she said. "I offer my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of officer Black, who had a long and distinguished record of service. The United States remains resolute in support of the people of Northern Ireland, who have condemned violence and embraced the path to peace and reconciliation."