Pair arrested over McKeown murder are released

TWO men arrested in connection with the murder of Malcolm McKeown in a Co Down village were both released unconditionally yesterday.

A 28-year-old and 30-yearold were taken into custody on Wednesday following the shooting of the father-of-three in Waringstown on Monday night.

It was revealed that two teenage boys discovered the body of McKeown (54) slumped in his car, which was parked behind Dewart’s service station, with six gunshot wounds to his head and body.

Footage of the final minutes of the high-profile career criminal’s life was released on Wednesday as police issued a new appeal over the “barbaric” killing.

The video also showed a black or dark blue Volkswagen Passat, believed to be the getaway vehicle, driving away afterwards.

McKeown was shown entering the local garage close to his Waringstown home around 7.20pm. Almost two hours later his body was discovered by the teenagers.

Detective Chief Inspector Pete Montgomery believes the murder is connected to organised crime and does not think that any paramilitary groups or crime gangs from Dublin were involved. The Passat car, registration RK62 PLX, was seen in nearby Cambrai Heights on Monday evening at 6.20pm.

“I believe the gunman or gunmen got out of this vehicle, walked round the back of the garage and shot Malcolm McKeown before fleeing via Cambrai Heights in this car at approximately 7.20pm,” DCI Montgomery said.

Witnesses who saw the car leaving Cambrai Heights and travelling along Dunkirk Road, or those with dash-cam or private security camera footage, have been urged to come forward.

The vehicle was later found burnt out four miles away on Glenavon Lane in Lurgan at around 7.30pm.

Witnesses have also been asked if they saw the occupants get out of the Passat, where did they go, if they got into a dark-coloured jeep and where this vehicle went to.

No further information about the murder weapon has been released, other than 10 rounds were fired, with the victim hit six times.

McKeown had been charged with aggravated burglary in Lisburn on November 14 and was released on bail days before his death.