Four men continue being questioned over 'brutal' Belfast murder

By Rebecca Black, PA

Four men are being questioned by police following a fatal shooting in Belfast.

The victim, who has been named locally as Robbie Lawlor, was shot dead at a house on Etna Drive in the Ardoyne area shortly before noon on Saturday.

Reports have linked him with the murder of teenager Keane Mulready Woods in Co Louth in January.

All four men are in PSNI custody being questioned by detectives.

Earlier, Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said it was too early to speculate on the motive and he was following "a number of lines of inquiry".

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy appeals for the public’s help following the murder of a man in Belfast on Saturday, April 4th.

See full statement here: https://t.co/lPWq91UgH6

Witness footage can be uploaded to the investigation team via https://t.co/94Pz5mZ5yv pic.twitter.com/HBARqFqnmu

— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) April 5, 2020

He added: "A light-coloured car, registration YLZ 7052, was found burned out in nearby Kingston Court and I am currently seeking to establish what relevance this car has to my investigation.

"I know the community is in shock at the moment but I would appeal to anyone who has information about this appalling murder to bring that information forward to the police.

"I am aware the area was busy with pedestrians and people out in their front gardens, so I am asking anyone who may have captured any footage of the incident to please make that available to us. I have activated the Major Incident Public Portal which can be accessed at mipp.police.uk.

"The investigation team can be contacted by calling 101, quoting reference 562 of April 4."

The killing has been condemned by politicians.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said the killing was "an abhorrent and brutal crime, for which there is no excuse" while Stormont justice minister Naomi Long condemned the "senseless murder", and offered her sympathies to the man's family.

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly appealed for calm in the area, and urged anyone with information to speak to police.