Murder investigation after man shot dead in west Belfast

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man was shot dead at a house in west Belfast.
Police at the scene of the shooting in PoleglassPolice at the scene of the shooting in Poleglass
Police at the scene of the shooting in Poleglass

The killing took place in the Glenwood Court area of Poleglass shortly after 8pm on Thursday evening.

The victim, who was 43 years old, has been named locally as Joe Reilly.

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First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness have issued a joint statement condemning the “senseless” and “savage” murder.

The Ministers said: “We unreservedly condemn the murder of a man shot dead in his home in Poleglass last night.

“This savage killing is senseless and has achieved nothing. The perpetrators care only for themselves.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the man’s family at this time and we urge anyone with any information to bring it to the PSNI immediately.”

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Alliance Justice spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has also condemned those behind the murder.

The area was cordoned off by policeThe area was cordoned off by police
The area was cordoned off by police

“This follows another shooting in the same area last week and has now left a family without a loved one through the evil actions of others,” said Mr Lunn.

“My deepest condolences go to the family and friends of this man. The local community will be rightly shocked by this murder.

“Those responsible need removed from the streets and should face the full rigours of the law. I would encourage anyone with information on this incident to pass it to police immediately.”

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Sinn Féin MLA Jennifer McCann said the shooting "achieved nothing other than plunging another family into grief and despair".

The area was cordoned off by policeThe area was cordoned off by police
The area was cordoned off by police

She added: “I have expressed my condolences to the victim's family and I appeal to anyone with information to bring it forward to the police."

SDLP MLA Alex Attwood said such "barbaric" attacks had "no place in our past and they have no place in our society today".

"This is a very small group of people, unrepresentative of the local community, who have now repeatedly taken the law into their own hands," he said.

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"The best response that we can make is to provide information to law enforcement and ensure that these individuals are caught, arrested and prosecuted under the full weight of the law.”

He added: “I know the people of West Belfast and beyond share in their sympathy for and stand in solidarity with the family.

“The voice of our condemnation has to be consistent and strong. At the scene last night there were many young people who, unlike previous generations will not have witnessed this brutality. We must say to younger generations and to all that an assault on the rule of law an assault on a citizen is an assault on us all.

“We have to deepen our culture of lawfulness. It starts with people with any information of value providing what they know to the police. Those responsible for last night must be identified, arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned. That is the work of today and the next number of days and we should all measure up.”

Police are appealing for anyone with any information contact police on 101, quoting reference 1172 20/10/16.