LAST UPDATE | 10 Jan

A MURDER INVESTIGATION is underway in Co Antrim after a man was shot in Belfast last night.

The incident took place at around 9.30pm last night in the Greenan housing estate, near Andersonstown, in West Belfast.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have named the man as Kevin Conway, who was 26 years old.

Conway was shot multiple times and murdered in his home last night, a spokesperson for the PSNI said.

Major Investigation Team detectives have launched a murder investigation.

“This was a horrific, calculated and ruthless murder, carried out in a busy residential area,” said PSNI Detective Inspector Gina Quinn this afternoon.

“Such cold-blooded brutality has absolutely no place in our society.”

Conway had been charged in relation to the murder of 39-year-old Shane Whitla in Lurgan, Co Armagh on 12 January last year.

Detectives in Belfast are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 and quote reference number 1714 of 09/01/24.

Detective Inspector Quinn said: “I understand that people are feeling afraid, but we can all agree those responsible for this shocking murder have no place in our society. 

“The streets will be safer when they are behind bars.

“If you have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact us.

“I’m appealing directly to local people to have the confidence to tell us anything they know. Kevin’s family deserve justice.”

Police currently remain at the scene which is cordoned off at this time and Quinn said local people will see an increase in police presence in the area in the coming hours and days.

Elsewhere, Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said this afternoon: “My thoughts are with Mr Conway’s family, who are left trying to come to terms with their loss.”

SDLP councillor for West Belfast Paul Doherty has said the community “has been left shocked” by the shooting in the area and are “seriously concerned at this outbreak of criminality” in the area.

Doherty said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has tragically lost his life.”

“There can be no justification for what has happened here, I would appeal for anyone with any information to come forward to police so that the people who carried this out can be brought to justice,” he added.