Help Sought Over Co Armagh 'Gang Killings'

A bloody 'execution-style' double murder last week in Co Armagh is back in focus today as detectives renew their probe into the deaths of Hugh and Jacqueline McGeough in Craigavon.

The PSNI officers have now returned to the scene to revisit their original appeal for witnesses to come forward.

The couple were found shot in their home at Legahory Court last Monday at around 6pm but detectives believe the shootings took place earlier in the day, possibly around 11am.

Serious Crime Branch detectives and uniformed police operated a series of checkpoints today and talked to local people in an effort to gather as much information as possible about events before and after the shootings.

The victims sustained gunshot wounds to the head with local Sinn Fein representative for the Craigavon area John O'Dowd commenting that the community was stunned by news of the shooting.

However, police sources played down fears of a dissident republican link to the murder of the couple, with initial theories suggesting gangland criminals might be to blame.

Now, the police want to hear from anyone who was in touch with Hugh or Jackie between 1.30pm on Sunday 6th and 6pm on Monday 7th, either in person or by phone, text or computer.

They also want to talk to anyone who saw vehicles outside the couple's home at 136 Legahory Court between 11-11.30am last Monday or who saw anyone entering or leaving the house.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at the Special Incident Room at Mahon Road on 028 38 366 366 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Richard Harkness, said: "The investigation is moving forward but we would make more progress if people with information gave that information to police. Some media reporting of the murders and the investigation is inaccurate, unhelpful and dangerous.

"If the killer or killers are to be apprehended and brought before the courts, I need those individuals with information to come forward and provide me with details of what they know, what they have heard or what they have seen. We have a collective duty as a community to deal with the tragedy of these events in a responsible manner. I would again appeal to those with information to come forward," he said today.

See: Craigavon Couple 'Shot In Head' Named

(BMcC/GK)