CCTV released of suspects in taxi driver shooting

CCTV images of two suspects thought to be involved in the attempted murder of a taxi driver in west Belfast earlier this year have been released by the police.

Sean O’Reilly, 49, was shot twice as he sat inside his taxi in the Bell Steel Manor area on 23 February.

Mr O’Reilly survived but underwent surgery to remove a bullet from his collarbone and repair a damaged nerve in his arm.

He was said to be a member of Republican Network for Unity, a small political group with links to the dissident organisation Óglaigh na hÉireann.

A reward of £20,000 has been offered from the charity Crimestoppers as detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI’s) major investigation team reiterated their appeal for information.

In a statement, Det Insp Gina Quinn said detectives believe the two gunmen approached the vehicle on foot from a path that runs between the Glenwood and Laurelbank areas.

“The first image shows the two gunmen, one of whom is wearing a high-vis yellow jacket,” she said.

She added that the image shows the men at about 09:50 GMT and that they’re travelling to carry out the attack, which happened at about 10:25 GMT.

“The second image was taken at around 10.35am and shows the two men just after the shooting. Here, the yellow jacket has been discarded.

“Having fired a number of shots at the victim, the two made off, again on foot, heading back via the same path, crossing the Stewartstown Road, and entering the Glasvey area.

“They then crossed the Twinbrook Road and entered the Gardenmore Road area.”

Det Insp Quinn added: “I am making a direct appeal to local people to share any footage, whether CCTV, dash cam or mobile phone footage.

“I am appealing to you to do the right thing and speak up.”