Man Arrested Over North Belfast Murder

A 34-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a man in north Belfast.

Michael McGibbon, 33, was fatally shot a number of times in an alleyway in the Butler Place area just after 10pm on Friday.

He was taken to hospital however he died from his injuries.

Detective Superintendent McVea has said that the murder bore all the hallmarks of a paramilitary murder.

He said: "Those who carried out this killing have no legitimacy in this community.

"What happened in that alleyway robbed a family of a treasured husband and father. There is nothing that can justify or explain the senselessness of this murder.

"I continue to appeal to the community for help in finding the people responsible. Help us bring justice to the McGibbon family."

Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly said: "I unreservedly condemn the murder of a father of four in Ardoyne last night.

"This killing has shocked the local community in north Belfast.

"This is the second such killing carried out in this area in the last six months by an armed gang which is clearly at war with the local community.

"I am calling on anyone with information on both of these killings to bring it forward to the PSNI.

"There can be no place for such actions in our society.

"Those who carried out this terrible act do not represent the local community in north Belfast.

"They need to realise that they have no support and get off the backs of the community.

"The community demands that they call a halt to these actions immediately."

SDLP North Belfast Councillor Nichola Mallon said: "The community is reeling and has been left shocked and horrified by this brutal murder.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family whose lives have been plunged into darkness by this unspeakable crime.

"North Belfast has shouldered this kind of savagery in the past. There can be no justification for it. It was wrong then and it is wrong today."

(CD)