Man gunned down outside school in West Belfast
Last updated 5th Dec 2018
An investigation is under way after a father of two was shot dead outside a school in west Belfast.
Jim Donegan who was in his 40s, had been waiting in his red Porsche care to pick up his son outside St Mary's Grammar School on Glen Road, when he was shot multiple times - in what appeared to be a gangland-style killing.
St. Mary’s is closed today and pupils will be offered counselling when it reopens.
The nearby Christian Brothers school was also shut.
Chief Superintendent Jonathan Roberts said children could have been killed during what he termed "an absolutely disgraceful and reckless act''.
"This man is believed to be in his forties and was sitting in his car when he was approached by a lone gunman who shot him several times, including at least once in the head,'' he said.
"This is an absolutely disgraceful and reckless act for which there can be no justification whatsoever, the act was carried out in the immediate vicinity of three schools where there were large numbers of pupils at the time and it is entirely possible that we could have had a seriously injured or dead child or children as a result of this terrible act.''
Mr Roberts said it was too early to comment on motive, but added police have not ruled out the possibility of dissident republican involvement.
There are also reports some rep
He made an appeal for information about the incident, including a description of the suspected gunman as having worn a high-visibility jacket with the word security on the back, who fled the scene on foot.
"The gunman is also believed to be aged in his forties,'' he added
SDLP Councillor Tim Attwood condemned the shooting.
Cllr Attwood added that shock has swept the community as the victim was killed instantly.
Speaking from the scene, Cllr Attwood commented:
“It is absolutely sickening that a gun was fired in the vicinity of both a primary and secondary school in west Belfast today.
“A number of pupils witnessed this fatality and are understandably very disturbed and frightened after this reckless act occurred nearby the school gates.
“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 direrction 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."
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 15:14 on Tuesday 04 December 2018 following reports of an incident in the Glen Road area of Belfast.
Two Paramedic Officers and one Rapid Response Paramedic were despatched to the incident.
No one was transported from the scene.