Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
David Murphy was entitled to feel safe in his house.. he did not deserve to die
Detectives probe victim’s Dashcam appeal over gun link to loyalist paramilitaries murder in remote rural area
“We are trying to ask people to help us fill some of those gaps about who David was with and whether members of the public can themselves suggest any motive for why anyone would have wanted to do him any harm.”
The senior officer asked for members of the public to contact them if they have any information about the whereabouts of the gun used in the attack.
And he appealed for dashcam footage from motorists who may have been on the remote Church Road in Glenwherry between Saturday and Tuesday afternoon as well as assistance from delivery drivers.
A forensic examination at the victim’s rural property on the road between Larne and Ballymena began on Tuesday, and a postmortem examination was carried out yesterday.
Det Supt Murphy confirmed the farmer was known to police but said investigating officers were keeping an “open mind” about possible motives for the attack.
Sources have claimed Mr Murphy had been involved in an altercation with a group of men in the days before his death.
Last March he was charged in connection with a suspected extortion plot targeting a bank manager for £10,000 and was released on bail.
He was due to stand trial this year on blackmail and threats to kill charges. Almost 15 years ago he was convicted of possessing a submachine gun, ammunition, four pistols and paramilitary-style clothing believed to belong to the UVF.
Det Supt Murphy added: “There is absolutely no justification for what happened. This was not just an attack on David – it was an attack on his parents and siblings who will have to come to terms with their loss.
“I want to reassure the wider public there is no evidence they are at an increased risk and we are fully committed to catching David’s killer and recovering the firearm used.”
Reverend Noel Mulholland from a Glenwherry Presbyterian Church said his thoughts and prayers went out to the victim’s family.
He added: There’s no place for this sort of brutality in our society, and my heart and prayerful thoughts go out to the gentleman’s family.”
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson condemned the attack. He said: “This
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is a shocking incident and my thoughts are with the loved ones of the deceased at what must be an extremely sad time for them.
The SDLP’S Declan O’loan said: “The lesson is that these shadowy forces who wreak such havoc need to be rooted out of our society.”
One loyalist source said: “There’s power struggle inside the loyalist paramilitaries at the moment and anyone believed to be putting a dent in their business dealings will not be tolerated.
“Mr Murphy’s death was deliberate, this was an attack carried out not as a warning but in a manner to kill and with a clear message to others.”
Police have asked that anyone with information call the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference 544 of 19/02/19, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”