A retired British soldier has been arrested by detectives investigating the shooting of a man with learning difficulties in Northern Ireland in 1974. John Pat Cunningham, 27, was shot by the Army in a field in Benburb, County Armagh. A 73-year-old suspect has now been detained in England. He is being taken to Northern Ireland for questioning at the police's Serious Crime Suite in Antrim. John Pat Cunningham (pictured, left, in photo held by his nephew Charlie Agnew, right) was shot by the British Army in a field in 1974. A man has now been arrested over his death . The case was recently re-opened by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and a murder investigation started following a re-examination of the available evidence. Mr Cunningham had a fear of men in uniform and was running away from an Army patrol when he was shot. The Government apologised for his death in 2013. The inquiry is being carried out by the PSNI's Legacy Investigations Branch - a unit which examines historic cases from the Troubles. Relatives of Mr Cunningham, who had a mental age of between six and 10, said the investigation did not have their support. Mr Cunningham was running away from an Army patrol when he was shot. He had a fear of men in uniform . Victims campaign organisation the Pat Finucane Centre (PFC) issued a statement on the family's behalf. 'Whilst family members have cautiously welcomed the arrest, they have asked the PFC to state categorically that they will only have confidence in an investigative process that is completely independent of the PSNI,' said a PFC spokesman. 'Cunningham family members said in October 2013 that they wish to see all investigations into British Army killings, including that of John Pat, being investigated by an independent body.' The investigation into the shooting was re-opened in March this year. Speaking in March, DI Neil McGuinness of the PSNI said: 'I appreciate this happened more than 40 years ago but I believe there are people in the community today who remember this tragic incident, who knew John Pat and who may have information which would be of assistance to the investigation. 'Our objective is to get to the truth of what happened that Saturday morning so that justice can be served.' The Government apologised for his death in 2013. A police investigation was re-opened earlier this year . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
Man with mental age of less than 10 was shot by Army in field in 1974 . British government later apologised and investigation re-opened this year . A former British soldier has now been arrested over the death . The suspect has been taken to Northern Ireland for questioning .