PSNI decline to say if they are probing dissident republican link to Shankill attempted murder

Detectives investigating a shooting in north Belfast on Sunday night have declined to respond to a query whether dissident republicans were involved in the incident.
By Gemma Murray
Published 22nd Feb 2021, 17:50 GMT
Updated 23rd Feb 2021, 13:39 GMT
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

When asked directly about the claim a PSNI spokesman failed to respond but said ‘enquiries are continuing in relation to the investigation’.

Last night a source revealed that the man shot during the incident was “a mistaken identity”, adding they had been aiming for a another party.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: “This is no big deal for DR’s as there is a straight road in and out from the area. People get confused.”

The scene at Hopewell Crescent in the Shankill Estate area of north Belfast where a man was a man in his twenties was injured in a shooting late on Sunday nightThe scene at Hopewell Crescent in the Shankill Estate area of north Belfast where a man was a man in his twenties was injured in a shooting late on Sunday night
The scene at Hopewell Crescent in the Shankill Estate area of north Belfast where a man was a man in his twenties was injured in a shooting late on Sunday night

Yesterday detectives investigating the shooting in Hopewell Crescent in north Belfast said they are treating the incident as attempted murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Natalie McNally said: “We received a report around 11.15pm on Sunday that a man had been shot at the rear of a residential property in the Hopewell Crescent area. Officers attended, along with colleagues from NIAS.

“A 29 year old man was brought to hospital for treatment to his injuries, where he remains in critical condition. This shooting was a callous, brutal and violent attempt to kill, carried out in a heavily populated residential area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“A short time later, we received a report that a burnt-out vehicle had been found on Fortwilliam Golf Course near Grays Lane. The car, which we suspect may have been used in connection with the shooting, has been recovered for forensic examination.

The scene at Hopewell Crescent in the Shankill Estate area of north Belfast where a man was a man in his twenties was injured in a shooting late on Sunday night. Police remain at the scene and the man is believed to be in a critical condition. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEyeThe scene at Hopewell Crescent in the Shankill Estate area of north Belfast where a man was a man in his twenties was injured in a shooting late on Sunday night. Police remain at the scene and the man is believed to be in a critical condition. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
The scene at Hopewell Crescent in the Shankill Estate area of north Belfast where a man was a man in his twenties was injured in a shooting late on Sunday night. Police remain at the scene and the man is believed to be in a critical condition. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

“We would urge anyone who was in the area of Hopewell Crescent yesterday evening, or who may have any information that could assist us with our inquiries to contact detectives. No matter how small or insignificant you think your information may seem, we would encourage you to come forward to police and not to share it on social media.

“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw a dark coloured saloon car leave the area at speed just before 11.15pm. We would also to appeal to anyone with CCTV footage in the area, or any drivers with dashcam footage, who have yet to come forward, to call 101 quoting reference number 2006 of 21 /02/21.

“A report can also be submitted via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or alternatively, information can be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

A message from our editor: Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a copy of the paper. You can also support trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription of the News Letter.