Firearms, jacket and cap used by murder-bid gunmen recovered by police

Firearms, a high-vis jacket and baseball cap believed to have been used in an attempted murder bid last weekend have been recovered by police.

Sean O’Reilly, 49, remains in hospital following the attack in Dunmurry on Sunday.

He was hit twice after two masked men fired shots through the window of his taxi as it was parked in the Bell Steel Manor area at about 10.30am.

Hardline republican political grouping the Republican Network for Unity has said Mr O’Reilly is one of its members.

On Friday, Detective Chief Inspector Gina Quinn described a “ruthless attack, in broad daylight, with one intent only – to take a life”.

“The two suspects made off from the scene prior to police arrival,” she said.

“I’ve already confirmed that one man was described as being dressed in dark clothing and the second described as wearing a yellow coat.

“Searches were carried out in the west Belfast area yesterday, February 27.

“Here, we seized a quantity of firearms, along with a hi-vis yellow jacket and dark-coloured baseball cap.

“I’m releasing images of the jacket and hat, and one line of enquiry is that these are the items worn by one of the gunmen. They, along with the firearms, will now undergo forensic examination to see if they can be linked to any individual.

“Our officers continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.  And, over the next days, further searches will be carried out in the west Belfast area.”

Ms Quinn urged anyone with information to speak to police.

“I want to thank the public for their support, and I want to reiterate my appeal for anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to please contact us,” she said.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact detectives on 101 and quote reference 664 of 23/02/25.”

Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI25U04-PO1.

Meanwhile, Mr O’Reilly’s solicitor has said his client is to be offered surgery in Dublin after he was prevented from travelling to a hospital in Scotland.

Mr O’Reilly suffered a severed nerve in his left bicep in the shooting and the surgery to repair the nerve is not available in Northern Ireland.

He had been due to travel to Glasgow earlier this week for the operation, but his lawyer said he was told he would not be allowed to travel.

Gavin Booth, from Phoenix Law, told the BBC on Friday that the operation would be carried out in Dublin, and would be done in time to save the nerve in Mr O’Reilly’s arm.