West Belfast shooting: Man killed was murder suspect

A man shot dead in west Belfast was suspected of being involved in the murder of Shane Whitla in Lurgan a year ago.

Kevin Conway was killed in Rossnareen Park in the Greenan area of west Belfast on Tuesday night.

The 26-year-old was on bail after being charged with the January 2023 murder of Mr Whitla, a shooting linked to an organised crime gang known as the Firm.

During court hearings in 2023 it was said Mr Conway was under threat.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said paramedics were called just before 21:30 GMT on Tuesday, but Mr Conway died at the scene.

Police remain in Rossnareen Park, where cordons are in place.

Forensic officers have attended the scene at Rossnareen Park

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Det Insp Gina Quinn said it was a "horrific, calculated and ruthless murder carried out in a busy residential area".

Det Insp Quinn said Mr Conway was shot "multiple times" and pronounced dead at the scene.

"Such cold-blooded brutality has absolutely no place in our society," she said.

"This isn't about what Kevin may or may not have been linked to, this is about trying to find his killers. Any incidents linked to Kevin form part of the ongoing police investigation and will be looked at as a line of enquiry."

Politicians have condemned the attack in west Belfast

There will be an increased police presence in the area in the coming days,

Belfast West MP, Sinn Féin's Paul Maskey, described Tuesday's shooting as a brutal killing.

"There is no place for guns on our streets," he said.

Paul Maskey described it as a brutal killing

Social Democratic and Labour Party councillor Paul Doherty said the incident had sent shockwaves through the community.

"Following on from previous incidents in the area in recent days local people are seriously concerned at this outbreak of criminality as we begin the new year," he added.

People Before Profit assembly member Gerry Carroll also condemned the killing.

"There can be no justification for gunning someone down in their home in cold blood," he said,

"All right-thinking people will be abhorred by this shooting."

Analysis: Who are The Firm?

There are about 60 organised crime gangs operating in Northern Ireland, according to a report published last year based on police assessments.

The Firm is one of the most talked about.

It has been implicated in two previous murders - Malcolm McKeown in Warringstown in 2019 and Shane Whitla in Lurgan.

Both were shot dead.

The gang largely operates out of Lurgan and Portadown in County Armagh.

It is heavily involved in drugs dealing and is made up of criminals who have loyalist and republican backgrounds.