KILLING VICTIM QUIZZED BY PSNI ON MURDER OF LAWLOR
Dissident had been suspect in shooting of Dublin hitman
Police at the scene yesterday
Tight security after attack being either the gunman or the getaway driver when Lawlor was shot at close range. Lawlor, who was linked to the barbaric torture, death and dismemberment of Drogheda teenager Keane Mulready-woods, was ambushed after travelling to the Ardoyne area.
The notorious gangster was with three other men when he was sprayed with bullets by a gunman who fled the scene with the trio who had left him to die.
Detective Chief Inspector Darren Mccartney said after yesterday’s shooting: “I believe the man was chased from the junction of Rodney Parade and St James’s Road along Rodney Parade by two masked gunmen before he was shot a number of times at close range in St Katharines Road.
“This was a brutal murder and the brazen recklessness of the killers completely beggars belief.
“They did not give any thought to the risk posed to local people in this community who were going about their business
at lunchtime when they ran
Robbie Lawlor through the streets firing shots. Nor did they care who may have been collateral damage in this highly-populated residential area during their mission to kill.”
SDLP councillor Brian Heading said the community had been rocked by news of the “brutal crime”.
He added: “Those responsible for this barbaric crime have no support here. They need to be caught and brought to justice.”
Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey described the killing as “a brutal and shameful attack”, adding: “Those involved in this act have absolutely no place in our community, they must cease their anti-community activities and get off the back of the people of West Belfast.
“Those responsible must be held accountable before the courts.”
irish@mgn.co.uk
Those involved in this brutal act have no place in our community PAUL MASKEY WEST BELFAST YESTERDAY