Two men sentenced to 24 years for murder

Jake O'Brien (left) and Andrew Martin were found guilty of the murder earlier this year

Two men found guilty of a "planned assassination" in County Down have been sentenced to at least 24 years in jail.

They were convicted earlier this year of murdering Malcolm McKeown, 54, who was shot dead at point-blank range at a filling station in Waringstown in August 2019.

Jake O'Brien, 31, from Rectory Road in Lurgan and Andrew Thomas Kenneth Martin, 30, from Bridge Street in Banbridge were found guilty of the murder in June and each given a life sentence.

At a tariff hearing on Monday, O'Brien was told he will have to serve 26 years in jail before being eligible to apply to be freed on licence. Martin will have to serve 24 years in prison before he can apply to be freed on licence.

Malcolm McKeown was shot dead in Waringstown in August 2019

The judge, Mr Justice Fowler, said the killing had been a "planned assassination" involving 16 bullets fired from two guns.

Mr McKeown was killed 12 days after being released from prison.

He was hit at least six times while sitting in his BMW car, minutes after stopping at a filling station.

'Shocking and senseless violence'

Following Monday's sentencing, PSNI Det Insp Jennifer Rea said those who shot Mr McKeown "had one intention – to kill.

"They showed no thought for anyone, including children, in the area at that time.

"I want to be clear that police continue, and will continue, to work tirelessly to investigate and bring those involved in such organised criminality to justice."

While two men were found guilty of the murder, two others were acquitted at the end of the trial in June.

During the non-jury trial, the court heard that Mr McKeown was involved in a feud with a criminal organisation known as The Firm.

At a hearing at Belfast Crown Court last month, ahead of their sentencing, it emerged that both O'Brien and Martin intend to appeal their convictions.