BY CONOR SHARKEY
SERIAL rapist and child killer Robert Howard will be called as a witness at the inquest into the murder of missing Castlederg schoolgirl Arlene Arkinson, it was ruled yesterday (Wednesday).
At a preliminary hearing in Derry, Coroner John Leckey confirmed that even though Howard controversially was acquitted of Arlene's murder, he would be compelled to testify as the last person known to be in her company.
At the Derry hearing, members of the mssing girl's family renewed their appeals for Howard to give up their sister's remains when he appears at the coroner's inquest next year.
Howard was cleared in 2005 of murdering the 15-year-old who went missing after a night out in Donegal in 1994. Her body has never been recovered.
Public outrage followed Howard's acquittal, after it emerged that his 40-year record as a murderer and sex offender was never presented to the jury in the Arkinson case. He is currently serving time in prison in England for the murder of another schoolgirl, Hannah Williams, who he kidnapped and strangled in 2001.
Yesterday's ruling however could see the 63-year-old, dubbed 'the Wolfman' by police, return to Northern Ireland to face more questions over Arlene's disappearance.
And speaking outside Derry court yesterday, Kathleen Arkinson said that the fact that Howard would face scrutiny again has given them hope of getting answers into what happened the night Arlene disappeared.
"We need her remains and we would appeal to the PSNI to go to England and speak to Robert Howard," said Kathleen Arkinson.
"It was brilliant news that we received in court today and it has given us hope that once and for all we will get answers.
"I would also make a direct appeal to Robert Howard that when he takes the witness box to give up her remains," Miss Arkinson said.
In court, Kathleen and Paula Arkinson heard coroner John Lecky say that he was satisfied, with their permission, that an inquest could go ahead, despite the absence of a body.
The Arkinson's solicitor told the court that the family were still convinced she had been murdered, despite a person being cleared of the crime.
Coroner Lecky said that he would require depositions and witness statements from Howard's criminal trial and that he would wait on the outcome of a complaint made to the Police Ombudsman by the Arkinson family.
Outlining the contents of the complaint, the solicitor explained that it had been confirmed that on the night Arlene disappeared, she had been in the company of Howard. Despite him clearly being in breach of bail conditions, including a curfew imposed in relation to other sex offences, no action had been taken by the police.
Mr Lecky said that as Howard was suspected of Arlene's murder it was only right that he be called as a witness, however complications would arise out of him taking the stand.
Under current law, a witness is not obliged to answer questions which could incriminate them or expose them for an offence.
The coroner asked if Howard were to incriminate himself, would it mean a retrial, or if it was even possible under Northern Ireland law that a suspect could be retried for an offence of which they have already been cleared. He said these issues would have to be clarified and explained to Howard prior to his appearance in court.
Despite the complexities of calling him before the inquest, Howard was a compellative witness and would be called, Mr Lecky confirmed.
