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06/12/2018
Two Men Arrested Over West Belfast Murder
Two men have been arrested by detectives investigating the murder of a man outside a west Belfast school.
It follows a number of searches in the area on Wednesday 05 December.
43-year-old Jim Donegan was sitting in his Porsche waiting to collect his son from school when he was shot dead on the afternoon of Tuesday 04 December, near St Mary's Christian Brothers school on the Glen Road.
Dozens of pupils and parents are believed to have witnessed the brutal attack.
PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Pete Montgomery said: "The gunman walked past children and fired a weapon eight times.
"It is utter madness as any one of these bullets could have ricocheted and, having been at the scene, I cannot emphasise enough that it is sheer luck I am not investigating multiple fatalities."
Police are still hunting the shooter, who was wearing a high-visibility vest with the word 'security' on the back and carrying a dark-coloured bag.
They have released CCTV footage of him walking near the scene and making off after crime.
"I believe the gun was in this bag," DCI Montgomery added.
"He emerged from a lane in Clonelly Avenue onto the Glen Road around 3.10pm and walked past countless parents and children, before firing eight bullets at Jim while he sat outside the school.
"Around two minutes later, after the murder, he ran back up the Glen Road and along the lane into Clonelly Avenue. I would like to hear from anyone who saw the gunman during these times.
"Mums, dads, grandparents, young siblings, and people in the community saw the brutal slaying.
"The callous actions of the gunman will have catastrophic psychological effects on them all.
"Children who moments before were no doubt enjoying Christmas activities in class, maybe practising for their Christmas concert or school nativity, will no longer be dreaming about Santa or presents.
"Instead they will be having nightmares about a murder in broad daylight outside their school, a place which should be a safe haven to learn and grow."
The two men, aged 49 and 51, remain in police custody.
(JG)
It follows a number of searches in the area on Wednesday 05 December.
43-year-old Jim Donegan was sitting in his Porsche waiting to collect his son from school when he was shot dead on the afternoon of Tuesday 04 December, near St Mary's Christian Brothers school on the Glen Road.
Dozens of pupils and parents are believed to have witnessed the brutal attack.
PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Pete Montgomery said: "The gunman walked past children and fired a weapon eight times.
"It is utter madness as any one of these bullets could have ricocheted and, having been at the scene, I cannot emphasise enough that it is sheer luck I am not investigating multiple fatalities."
Police are still hunting the shooter, who was wearing a high-visibility vest with the word 'security' on the back and carrying a dark-coloured bag.
They have released CCTV footage of him walking near the scene and making off after crime.
"I believe the gun was in this bag," DCI Montgomery added.
"He emerged from a lane in Clonelly Avenue onto the Glen Road around 3.10pm and walked past countless parents and children, before firing eight bullets at Jim while he sat outside the school.
"Around two minutes later, after the murder, he ran back up the Glen Road and along the lane into Clonelly Avenue. I would like to hear from anyone who saw the gunman during these times.
"Mums, dads, grandparents, young siblings, and people in the community saw the brutal slaying.
"The callous actions of the gunman will have catastrophic psychological effects on them all.
"Children who moments before were no doubt enjoying Christmas activities in class, maybe practising for their Christmas concert or school nativity, will no longer be dreaming about Santa or presents.
"Instead they will be having nightmares about a murder in broad daylight outside their school, a place which should be a safe haven to learn and grow."
The two men, aged 49 and 51, remain in police custody.
(JG)
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