The family of murdered police officer Geoffrey Bowen has welcomed a breakthrough arrest on the eve of the 24th anniversary of the bombing of the former National Crime Authority office in Adelaide.

Domenic Perre, 61, was arrested this morning and charged with the murder of Detective Sergeant Bowen and the attempted murder of lawyer Peter Wallis, who survived critical injuries inflicted by the parcel bomb.

Mr Bowen’s wife Jane Bowen-Sutton and their son Simon, together with Mr Wallis, attended a press conference in Adelaide following the arrest.

Mrs Bowen-Sutton’s brother David Gorton read a statement on behalf of the family, declaring they had never given up hope of a breakthrough.

Domenic Perre, 61, has been charged over the bombing. ()
Detective Geoffrey Bowen was killed in the bombing.(Supplied) ()
Mr Perre was arrested over the bombing once before, but let go for lack of evidence. (AAP) ()

“Over the last 24 years, there hasn’t been a single day that passes where Geoff isn’t remembered, brought up in conversation, or an anecdote about his happy, but short life, fondly recalled,” Mr Gorton said.

“Despite the life sentence that was imposed upon Jane, Matt, Simon and the extended Bowen family that day, we have never lost sight of justice nor have we ever lost faith in the South Australia Police.”

Mr Gorton recalled the “sudden, unjustified and abhorrent death of a husband, father, friend and police officer.”

The National Crime Authority bombing in 1994 killed Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bown and wounded lawyer Peter Wallis. (AAP) ()
A new investigation uncovered DNA evidence from the parcel bomb which allegedly blew apart the NCA office. (AAP) ()

It is the second time Perre has been charged over the deadly bomb attack, in the heart of Adelaide on 2 March 1994. He was charged in the months following the attack, but South Australia’s then Director of Public Prosecution withdrew the case due to insufficient evidence.

Asst Police Commissioner Scott Duval said this arrest followed the largest review of a cold case ever undertaken in South Australia, involving the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Forensic Science SA and international forensic experts.

“This is a horrific and sickening attack that deliberately targeted a law enforcement agency and its staff,’ Asst Commissioner Duval said.

“In that 24 years, it’s really the tenacity and persistence of police that this type of horrific attack is never forgotten and in that regard this is taking that to the ends of the earth.”

Perre faced court in Adelaide this afternoon, and was remanded in custody ahead of a further appearance in July.

A new task force has been actively investigation the bombing since September 2015. ()

A $1,000,000 reward remains on offer for information leading to a conviction over the NCA bombing.

* On March 2, 1994, a parcel bomb explodes at the Adelaide office of the National Crime Authority.

* The blast kills Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and injures lawyer Peter Wallis.

* An Adelaide man is arrested and charged with murder, but the charges are dropped six months later because of a lack of evidence.

* In 1999 a coronial inquiry concludes the same man made and sent the bomb, but prosecutors maintain they don't not have enough evidence to secure a conviction.

* In 2006 the man who led the bodies-in-the-barrels murder inquiry, Superintendent Paul Schramm, heads a complete review of the bombing and the police investigation at the time.

* In 2008 the state government doubles the reward to $1 million for possible information to solve the cold case.

* In 2016, police reveal that a renewed investigation into the bombing has opened up new lines of inquiry.

* A 61-year-old man, Domenic Perre, is on Thursday charged with murder and attempted murder to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court.
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