A murder investigation is underway after a man was shot dead in a west Belfast social club on Sunday.
Two masked men entered the Donegal Celtic sports and social club in Suffolk Road shortly before 2.30 pm and shot the victim a number of times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
DCI John Caldwell of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said the investigation was at “a very early stage”. Urging anyone with information to get in touch, he said: “Both gunmen are believed to have made their escape on foot along Suffolk Road.”
The club was reportedly packed with people watching football on TV when the shooting occurred, sending shockwaves throughout the neighbourhood.
Paul Maskey, the Sinn Féin MP for West Belfast, said: “There’s total shock in this community today with the offence that happened in Donegal Celtic today.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to this man’s family.” I don’t know the victim personally, but I do know that there is a family there, and our thoughts and sympathies are with this man’s family at this time.”
Maskey also urged anyone with information to come forward. “I condemn those responsible. There is no place for guns on our streets,” he said.
In the aftermath, there was a heavy police presence on the scene, and part of Suffolk Road remained closed on Sunday afternoon, with a number of diversions in place.
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