BBC News Online: UK: Northern Ireland

Two held over Nelson death

The high profile Catholic human rights lawyer died last year when a bomb planted by loyalist terrorists exploded under her car in Lurgan, County Armagh.

After allegations by republicans that members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary colluded with her killers, the murder inquiry was handed over to a team of detectives headed by the deputy chief constable of Norfolk, Colin Port.

A spokeswoman for Mr Port's inquiry team, said a 31-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man were detained in Portadown and were being questioned at Gough barracks in Armagh city.

Detectives were also quizzing the pair about other terrorist offences.

The Nelson killing was claimed by the Red Hand Defenders, a fringe loyalist group not on ceasefire.

Earlier this year, police questioned a former Royal Irish Regiment soldier, William Ian Hamilton, 28, from Hamiltonsbawn, who was charged with possession of arms and explosives and membership of the Loyalist Volunteer Force.