The Five Demands

Man murdered in gun attack (UTV)

A murder investigation has been launched after a 36-year-old man was shot dead in Newtownabbey on Thursday night.

Police believe two men were involved in the gun attack which happened in the Longlands Estate at around 8.30pm.

It is understood the victim, who is well-known in the area, was shot up to nine times.

A silver car found burnt out in west Belfast has been linked to the murder. It was hijacked earlier in the day.

“A number of sources are telling the man was shot a number of times, between six to nine times, in the Longlands Estate,” UTV’s Sharon O’Neill said.

“There are conflicting reports that he was shot dead outside local shops however I am told he was shot dead in his own home.

“The victim is well-known in the area, he is in his 30s, and he has a partner who was not there at the time, and I believe he was a father.”

Sinn Féin Newtownabbey Councillor Gerry O’Reilly has condemned the incident.

He said: “While it is quite early I understand that a young man has been killed in this shooting incident and the local community is in a state of shock. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

“It is believed that this happened outside the local shops and that there were children only yards away when this occurred.

“There can be no justification whatsoever for this type of attack and those behind it need taken off our streets.”

The scene of the shooting has been cordoned off by police.