Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PSNI appeal as 23-year-old arrested
A COMMUNITY is in mourning following the death of a local resident who was knocked down and killed in a suspected hit-and-run.
The incident occurred on the Stewartstown Road, West Belfast, close to the Dairy Farm, at around 10.20pm on Friday.
The victim was named by police as Richard Gerard Boyle, who was from Dunmurry, Co Antrim.
Police have arrested one man following the incident and he remains in custody. A PSNI spokesperson said: “A 23-year-old man has been arrested in relation to the collision and he remains in custody at this time, assisting police with inquiries.
“Police are also making an appeal for information about the vehicle that may have been involved in the collision, possibly a dark-coloured Volkswagen Golf.”
Sinn Fein MLA Orlaithi Flynn said she was “deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death”.
She added: “This is heartbreaking news for the man’s family, friends, loved ones and the wider community. I want to extend my deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of the man and offer them my full support.
“It is deeply concerning the collision is being treated as a suspected hit-andrun. I would also appeal to anyone who may have been on the Stewartstown Road at the time to bring any information forward to the PSNI. ”
Her party colleague Stephen Magennis said Mr Boyle would have been seen walking his dog and “there’s a lot of shock and anger at what happened”.
PSNI Inspector Phillip McCullagh said he is appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or drivers who may have captured it on their dash cam to get in touch by calling 101 and quoting reference number 1997 of 05/02/21.