Politicians Condemn Fatal Belfast Shooting

Politicians in Northern Ireland have spoken out to condemn a fatal shooting in west Belfast after a man was killed while waiting to collect his child from school.

Jim Donegan, aged in his 40's, was shot by a lone gunman as he sat in his Porsche sportscar outside St Mary's Christian Brothers school on the Glen Road shortly after 3pm on Tuesday 04 December.

The busy road houses a number of schools and the attack occurred at a time when several children were making their way towards buses and cars, with many believed to have witnessed the violent attack.

UUP Justice Spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, expressed his shock in a statement: "I unreservedly condemn this afternoon's gun attack. Nobody has the right to bring a gun onto the streets and act as judge, jury and executioner and there can be no justification for this brutal act.

"To murder a man as he waits to collect his son from school and in an area where many children were present, displays a particular callousness and recklessness. These children will have been terrified and traumatised at what they saw and heard at their school gates. It is simply shocking."

The Upper Bann MLA urged local people to pass any relevant information to police.

He said: "The entire community must get behind and give them all the support they need to catch the person responsible and help put this very dangerous individual behind bars for as long as possible."

Alliance Party Executive Member Sorcha Eastwood echoed Mr Beattie's sentiment and said she was "horrified" at the "awful news".

"Guns have no place in our society, or on our streets, especially outside a school when kids are getting out," she wrote in a post on Twitter.

Her party leader, Naomi Long, added: "Completely shocking reports. Horrific."

St Mary's school remains closed today, Wednesday 05 December, as police continue with their investigation. Counselling will provided to all pupils affected.

Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey welcomed the news that the Education Authority has met with four school principals in west Belfast to establish a critical incident plan to support those involved.

"This will include making support services available in the short term and long term as it is vital that school pupils and teachers receive the appropriate help at this time.

"I will continue to work with the schools and Education Authority to ensure all students and staff receive the support required in the aftermath of this horrific incident."

Teachers at St Mary's were seen using coats to cover the violent scene to protect school pupils from witnessing the traumatising aftermath of Mr Donegan's murder.

The Glen Road has now reopened, almost 24 hours after the attack.



(JG)