Long condemns East Belfast murder

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 1st Jul 2005

East Belfast Alliance MLA, Councillor Naomi Long, has condemned today's murder in East Belfast. Police have indicated that the murder could be linked to the ongoing tension within loyalism. The victim was shot at while driving a lorry, which then crashed into a lamppost.

Naomi Long said:

"I am totally appalled at this murder, which I absolutely condemn. The manner in which the attack was carried out was reckless in the extreme, and put other people's lives in danger. Given that it took place at a busy junction, in the middle of the morning, the attackers showed utter contempt and disregard for the lives of the people who live and work in the area, any of whom could have been killed when the lorry went off the road.

"It is of serious concern that this may be a result of ongoing tensions within loyalism. People are understandably fearful that this could start another round of feuding in East Belfast. Everyone needs to take a step back and consider the livelihoods of the people who live in the area, who have this constant fear hanging over them.

"This was a brazen daylight attack. Someone must have seen something. These attackers showed local people no regard, and I would appeal to local people to cooperate fully with the police, to help them bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice."

ENDS