Fresh surgery plan for Dunmurry shooting victim

Alternative arrangements are being sought for an operation to be carried out on the victim of a suspected republican feud after he was prevented from travelling to Scotland for surgery, the BBC understands.

Sean O’Reilly, 49, was shot twice in an attack in the Bell Steel Manor area of Dunmurry on Sunday.

He underwent surgery to remove a bullet from his collarbone but required a further operation to save a nerve in one of his arms.

The specialist surgery, which is not understood to be available in Northern Ireland, had been scheduled to take place at a hospital in Glasgow.

But it is understood the hospital cancelled the operation after receiving information that it had been previously unaware of related to “terrorism”.

BBC News NI understands the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust was seeking to make alternative arrangements to have the operation carried out.

Options being considered included the feasibility of having the Glasgow surgeon attend at Belfast and or the availability of other centres outside the jurisdiction.

Mr O’Reilly is said to be a member of Republican Network for Unity, a small political group with links to the dissident organisation Óglaigh na hÉireann.

He was believed to be under armed guard at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for his own safety.

After arrangements were made for Mr O’Reilly’s surgery in Glasgow, the PSNI contacted Police Scotland so it could arrange to manage the risk to him while there.

The surgery was subsequently cancelled by the Glasgow hospital.

A solicitor for Mr O’Reilly told BBC News NI that Mr O’Reilly had been advised he would need to have the surgery carried out by the weekend – or risk the nerves in his arm dying.

However, it is understood the surgeon who was initially scheduled to perform the procedure has indicated the furthest date by which it could be performed was in the region of between 10 days and two weeks.