Belfast murder: Daniel McClean, dissident republican, shot dead

The Cliftonville Road has reopened following the shooting

A murder investigation is under way after a man was shot dead in north Belfast on Tuesday night.

The victim, who was Daniel McClean, is believed to have been shot in his car on the Cliftonville Road.

Mr McClean, who was in his 50s, was identified in court in 2019 as a dissident republican.

The shooting was reported to police at about 20:15 GMT. Local people have told BBC News NI that up to five shots were heard.

Daniel McClean was pronounced dead at the scene.

Det Ch Insp Peter Montgomery urged anyone who was in the area at the time, or who may have information, to get in contact with police.

Sinn Féin North Belfast assembly member Carál Ní Chuilín described the shooting as "shocking" and also called for witnesses to speak to police.

SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said the "senseless and horrific" shooting had placed even greater pressure on emergency services during the pandemic.

A police cordon was in place on Wednesday morning at a guesthouse on Cliftonville Road, while nearby Clifton Crescent was also cordoned off.

A police cordon was placed at a guesthouse on Cliftonville Road

Alliance councillor Nuala McAllister said police needed as much information as possible to "get to the bottom of this quite gruesome crime".

People Before Profit councillor Fiona Ferguson said the news was "devastating".

She said there was "no place for gun violence on our streets".

DUP councillor Dale Pankhurst condemned the shooting and said his thoughts were with the victim's family.