Police say paramilitaries may have been involved in murder of Wayne Boylan in Warrenpoint

by Q Radio News

Police have confirmed the man murdered in Warrenpoint last night was 37 year-old Wayne Boylan.

It's understood he was shot dead after two men entered a property on the Lower Dromore Road, near the town's golf club, at around 7.30pm last night.

A 21 year old woman also sustained gunshot injuries and was taken to Daisy Hill hospital in Newry. 

Senior police officer Geoff Boyce told Q Radio :

"Wayne was enjoying an evening with friends at his friend’s home in Lower Dromore Road when two cold blooded killers burst into the house at around 7:30pm.

The pair, who were masked, fired at Wayne with what Police believe to be a shogun, striking him in the head and fatally injuring him. He died at the scene. Pellets from the blasts also struck Wayne’s friend, a 21 year old female in the face and neck. She has undergone emergency surgery in hospital and remains critically ill in intensive care. We wish for her speedy recovery and our thoughts are with her family.

This was a senseless and callous murder perpetrated on a completely unsuspecting man.  Wayne was a father and his two young children have been left without their father. He was a son, a brother and a friend. His murder has caused his family and friends immeasurable pain and their lives will be forever changed by his loss.

At this time no clear motive for the attack on Wayne has been identified, and today I am appealing directly to those who may have information about his murder. Do you know the people involved?  

We want to be able to give answers to a grieving family.  To give them justice by putting his murderers behind bars."

WATCH - Warrenpoint shotgun killing @PoliceServiceNI Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Boyce: “Senseless and callous murder of father of 2.” Says 37yo victim Wayne Boylan known to police, paramilitary involvement not ruled out. Injured woman fights for life. More on air at 5 pic.twitter.com/ym8JFq8Hlc

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 19, 2019

Meanwhile, Councillor Jarlath Tinnelly says the local community is in shock: 

.@nmdcouncil @JarlathTinnelly on fatal shooting in Warrenpoint: “Man killed, young woman critical, unbelievable event - something Warrenpoint hasn’t seen since the end of the Troubles.” pic.twitter.com/jZtftDM8YU

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 19, 2019

South Down Assembly member Sinead Ennis appealed for information.

"The community of Warrenpoint are shocked and stunned by this news," the Sinn Fein representative said.

"Our first thoughts are with the family of the victim.

"The PSNI have the area sealed off and I would appeal to anyone with information to bring it forward to assist the investigation."

Police urged anyone with information to call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.