Murder victim named as Dan Murray

It comes after delivery driver Dan Murray, 54, was shot in his car west Belfast at around 10pm last night.

In a statement the Ministers said: “The shootings in Belfast yesterday were barbaric and wrong. We unreservedly condemn the actions of the perpetrators who care only for themselves.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families and in particular the family of Daniel Murray who was shot dead.

“Anyone with information about the attacks should bring it to the PSNI immediately.”

It is understood Mr Murray was “well-known” to the PSNI.

In April last year Mr Murray was shot in the face at point-blank range at his Antrim Road home.

The murder bid followed another attempt on his life when he was shot several times in his car by the Continuity IRA.

Mr Murray has previously spoken out to deny any involvement in criminality.

He is also understood to have a partner and young son.

The Irish Republic’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan condemned what he described as a “sickening murder”.

“In recent days there have been a number of shootings in the city,” he said.

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of all those affected.

“I stand in solidarity with the communities of north and west Belfast against those criminals who inflict fear. Such thuggish behaviour has no place on our streets.

“I encourage anyone with information on these attacks to contact the PSNI.”

UUP Policing Board representative, Ross Hussey, who condemned last night’s murder said that it highlights the importance of keeping the pressure on paramilitarism and criminality which the party had insisted on during the talks process which led up to the Fresh Start Agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein.

“Once again Northern Ireland has woken up to the news that a man has been shot dead, this time in Lady Street in the Divis area of West Belfast at around 10pm last night,” he said.

“It is especially concerning that this was the third shooting in north and west Belfast in the one day.

“Whatever the motivation behind these incidents, it is clear that our society is still blighted by groups who wish to impose their will on communities through both the threat of and use of violence. This is why we fought so hard to get these issues onto the Talks agenda last autumn and our stated aim is to rid the country and this island once and for all, of all paramilitary and associated criminal activity.

“At this stage it is unclear whether last night’s murderers were motivated by criminality or some misguided political ideology. We have just had an election in which anyone with a political cause or agenda had the opportunity to present it to the electorate to let them decide if the cause has merit.

“There is simply no justification whatsoever for anyone using violence against any other citizen in this society. It is essential that the entire community help the Police to close these groups down and ensure they no longer terrorise society.”

SDLP MLA Alex Attwood who also condemed the atrocity said: “This threat needs to be assessed and addressed at policing and political levels. The huge numbers of good people, our older citizens and young families who live amid this threat need new actions and renewed hope that the threat will be comprehensively faced down.”