LAST UPDATE | 4 Dec 2018

POLICE IN NORTHERN Ireland have launched a murder investigation after a man was shot dead outside a school this afternoon.

The incident occurred at Glen Road beside St Mary’s Grammar School in West Belfast. 

The PSNI have only said that they are responding to an “incident” in the area. 

“Due to an incident on the Glen Rd, west Belfast, drivers are advised the area between the Monagh bypass & Glen Rd junction up to Shaws Rd & Glen Rd junction is closed until further notice,” the police service said. 

Please avoid the area & seek alternative route if possible.

SDLP Councillor Tim Attwood said that the shooting had occurred, calling it “sickening”.

“It is absolutely sickening that a gun was fired in the vicinity of both a primary and secondary school in west Belfast today,” he said. 

“There is absolutely no place for this in 2018; this madness belongs in the past and we cannot allow it to once again become our normality.

I cannot stress enough that any information relating to this incident must be passed to the PSNI immediately.   

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Montgomery said: “Police are currently at the scene of a shooting during which a man died this afternoon.

“I would like to appeal to anyone who saw a man in his 40s, wearing a high vis vest with the words ‘Security’ on the back heading in the direction of Glen Road, as well as anyone who witnessed the shooting or was in the Glen Road area from 3pm today, to come forward and speak to police.

“An incident room has been set up in Musgrave Police Station and anyone with information can contact detectives there on 101 quoting reference 741 04/12/18. Alternatively information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”