Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GUN KILLING VICTIM QUIZZED BY COPS ON MURDER OF LAWLOR
Teen arrest after fatal stabbing of Jason, 31 Dissident had been suspect in shooting of Dublin hitman
THE victim of a fatal stabbing in Ballymena yesterday morning has been named by police as 31-year-old Jason
Lee Martin.
Detectives from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team last night appealed for witnesses following the horrific incident at a house in Orkney Drive.
Detective Inspector Kerry Brennan said: “Jason died after he was stabbed whilst in a house in the early hours of this Saturday morning.
“An 18-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of murder and he remains in custody at this stage.
“I am appealing for anyone with information that could potentially assist the investigation to please get in touch by calling 101.
“Or, alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”
Alliance Councillor Patricia O’Lynn said the local community will be in complete shock.
She added: “My thoughts are with the victim and his loved ones. I offer my deepest sympathies to them.
“The local community in Ballykeel, as well as wider across Ballymena, will be in shock hearing this tragic news.
“I urge anyone with any information on this shocking incident to contact police with it immediately.”
Tight security after attack
A MAN shot dead in Belfast yesterday had been questioned about the murder of Dublin hitman Robbie Lawlor.
Police suspect the dissident republican, who was gunned down in broad daylight, was a drugs kingpin involved in Lawlor’s killing.
They believe he was chased by masked gunmen before being shot a number of times in the St Katharines Road area of West Belfast. He was later pronounced dead in hospital.
It is understood the victim was one of the five suspects questioned in relation to the assassination of hitman Lawlor in the north of the city on April 4.
It is also believed the dead man was arrested at the time on suspicion of 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
BLASTED 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.”
Those involved in this brutal act have no place in our community
WEST BELFAST YESTERDAY