‘Brutal’ shooting dead of man in west Belfast condemned

The “brutal” shooting of a man in west Belfast has been condemned by MPs and councillors.

Police launched a murder investigation following the incident in the Greenan area on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday morning a police cordon remained in place at Greenan and Rossnareen Park.

Forensic officers wearing white suits could be seen removing items from a flat, and a police dog was also at the scene.

West Belfast MP Paul Maskey described a “brutal killing”, and said he understands that some time around 10pm someone came into a block of flats with a gun and took a life.

“It is shocking and people around this area who I have spoken to this morning are very, very angry at what happened here last night,” the Sinn Fein representative told the PA news agency.

“This is a residential area, many young people live in this area, it’s a built-up area, there are hot food bars, it is a busy location.

“This is very sad and my thoughts are with this individual’s family.”

He said police are working to establish the full facts of what happened.

“I know that they’re also making a call for anyone with information to bring that forward to them as a matter of urgency, and I would also echo that call,” he said.

“The residents I spoke to in this area also want that. They have said quite clearly someone has brought terror on to their streets, and it is totally unacceptable.

“They’re saying they don’t want this to happen and they’re calling for anyone involved in this sort of activity to stop.”

Detectives are appealing to anyone who has any information to call 101 and quote reference number 1714 of 09/01/24.

SDLP councillor Paul Doherty said the incident has sent shockwaves through the community.

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has tragically lost his life,” he said.

“Violence like this is a scourge on our society and creates serious fear among people living in this community.

“There can be no justification for what has happened here. I would appeal for anyone with any information to come forward to police so that the people who carried this out can be brought to justice.”

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll “utterly condemned” the shooting.

“My immediate sympathies are with the victim’s loved ones and my thoughts are with all of those impacted by this barbaric attack,” he said.

“This is an incredibly distressing incident that has sent shockwaves through the entire community.

“There can be no justification for gunning someone down in their home in cold blood. All right-thinking people will be abhorred by this shooting.”