The Donegal man arrested in connection with the notorious Hyde Park bombings has been working on a project to bring Republicans and Loyalists together.
John Downey, a married father from Ards, Creeslough is in police custody after being arrested at Gatwick Airport.
But Donegal Daily has learned that Downey, who is originally from Clare but has lived locally for more than 30 years, works with Abhaile Aris.
Downey works as an Outreach Worker with the Letterkenny-based organisation which aims to help ex-prisoners and people displaced by the conflict in the North.
He is close friends with MLA Pat Doherty who lives in nearby Carrigart.
As well as a background in aquaculture, Downey is regarded as a very committed community worker.
His friend and colleague at Abhaile Aris, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, said he cannot understand why Downey has been arrested.
Cllr McMonagle, revealed how Downey has been to England on several occasions and was never interviewed or interfered with by police.
“I simply have to ask “why?” This is a disgrace what has happened and it makes a mockery of the Good Friday Agreement.
“John Downey has been committed to the Peace Process for several years and has worked closely with both sides of the community.
“He has worked with the loyalist community in Northern Ireland in developing the Peace Process.
“The British Government cannot have it both ways. They are either committed to the Peace Process of they are not,” he said.