'Drugs link' probed after fatal shooting

Published Friday, 26 October 2012
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

Police investigating the murder of well-known Newtownabbey man Danny McKay have said they're looking into a possible drugs link, as part of their wider murder enquiry.

Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

To find out if this video is available to you, we need to know what region you live in. Please enter your postcode below (including space).

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for confirming your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are sorry but this video is not available on u.tv in your region. Your region is listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you in Northern Ireland?

1. Why is my postcode required?

We are asking you to insert your postcode before watching some videos to confirm you can access the video content via u.tv.

This is because some videos on u.tv are only available in Northern Ireland.

Don't worry, we won't store or use this information for any other purpose.

If you are not in Northern Ireland, the content may be available to watch at itv.com or stv.tv.

2. Why am I directed to itv.com or stv.tv when I try to view certain clips?

The videos, which are not available on u.tv to users outside Northern Ireland, will be available to those users on itv.com (for users in England and Wales) or stv.tv (for most users in Scotland).

We need to know where you are in order to make sure you are getting the right content.

If you think we've got your location wrong, then please click here.

Need more help? Contact us

The 36-year-old victim died in his Longlands Estate home, when at least two men forced their way in and shot him several times at close range on Thursday night.

The officer leading the investigation confirmed that Mr McKay was known to police, but that the murder was "a brutal and ruthless attack which has no place in society".

Detective Chief Inspector John McVea added: "Whatever Daniel did in his life, nothing justifies this action against him.

"Police are working on a number of lines of enquiry. Some of these involve links to drugs and individuals or groups who would associate themselves with dissident groupings."

This investigation will look at Daniel's activities, but today Daniel is a victim.

Detective Chief Inspector John McVea

Officers suspect the men responsible for the fatal shooting may also be connected to the theft of a silver Volkswagen Bora, later found burnt out in west Belfast.

The vehicle's owner had been forced to hand over the keys sometime after 7pm, when five masked men entered his home in the New Lodge.

Mr McKay is believed to have been shot at about 8.30pm, and the car was found just before 9pm at Ardmoulin Place in the lower Falls area.

Appealing for information, Detective Chief Inspector McVea urged the local community to help police with their enquiries.

"Daniel was the son of a mother and father who are now grieving for his loss. He had a partner and a 10-year-old child and those people are grieving his loss," he said.

"Those responsible for this ruthless murder will only be brought before the courts and put behind bars if people with information work with police."

Politicians have expressed disgust at the brutal murder in what is a residential area.

DUP MP for North Belfast Migel Dodds described the killing as "brutal and deeply shocking" and extended sympathy to the victim's family.

"People will be thinking today about how often we used to hear about these kind of killings in the past and making it very clear that we don't want any return to this kind of activity," he said.

Throughout the entire community, people will be sickened by this.

Nigel Dodds, DUP

SDLP councillor for the area Noreen McClelland described the gun attack as "savage and calculated".

She said: "This shooting represents not just a cruel attack on this man, but it is also an attack on the wider community who are appalled at what has happened."

Sinn Féin councillor Gerry O'Reilly added: "There can be no justification whatsoever for this type of attack and those behind it need taken off our streets."

Police say they need to hear from anyone with information about the taking of the Bora from Dunore Court, the shooting at Longlands or the burning out of the Bora at Ardmoulin Place.

They also want anyone who saw the silver car, registration number KLZ 9787, at any time on Thursday night.

Detectives can be contacted at North Queen Street on 0845 600 8000 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The stolen silver Volkswagen Bora could be linked to the murder of Newtownabbey man Danny McKay.

© UTV News
Comments Comments
5 Comments
republican in belfast wrote (234 days ago):
as a irish republican and who also knew danny quite well , im numbed by his killing , its wrong that irishmen can kill irishmen , shame on these people who claim to be fighting for irish freedom , in my opinion they are cowardly people who use the republican movements name with dishonour , may god rest on you danny , you were not the worst person in the world .
toby in newtownabbey wrote (235 days ago):
What can anyone say, murdered in his home, maybe the police will get the people who did this dirty deed, all we can do is hope, and pray for Danny and his family.
Cynical in Belfast wrote (235 days ago):
I'm sure Danny's family is devastated. This is the sort of thing that historically was carried out in this locality by 'loyalist' murder squads. If this was carried out over a some stupid drugs squabble then that is unbelievable & unforgivable. There is nothing heroic about shooting dead an unarmed man in his own home.
GARY in belfast wrote (236 days ago):
REPUBLICAN DRUG GANGS NEEDS STOPPED AND JAILED
darren in Newtownabbey wrote (237 days ago):
Absolutly disgusting attack. I'm from Longlands and knew Danny quite well and whilst I didn't agree with the path he took in life he didn't deserve this. Those who carried out this attack are cowardly scum. Sadly I don't think they will ever be brought to justice.
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES
Obama in Northern Ireland
Mon 17 June 2013
BGT: The semi-finals
Thu 30 May 2013