Northern Ireland

PSNI search area where shots fired in memory of INLA man

PSNI officers carry out a search in the Divis area of west Belfast after masked men fired shots outside the wake house of Martin McElkerney. Picture by Mal McCann.
PSNI officers carry out a search in the Divis area of west Belfast after masked men fired shots outside the wake house of Martin McElkerney. Picture by Mal McCann. PSNI officers carry out a search in the Divis area of west Belfast after masked men fired shots outside the wake house of Martin McElkerney. Picture by Mal McCann.

The PSNI has carried out a search after shots were fired close to the house where former INLA prisoner Martin McElkerney was being waked.

Several officers were involved in the sweep at Ross Street in the Divis area of west Belfast yesterday morning.

On Monday a masked man fired a volley of shots into the air close to the wake house.

The shots were fired shortly after a PSNI helicopter, which had been circling the area, left.

Shots were fired outside the house where former INLA prisoner Martin McElKerney is being waked in west Belfast on Monday night
Shots were fired outside the house where former INLA prisoner Martin McElKerney is being waked in west Belfast on Monday night Shots were fired outside the house where former INLA prisoner Martin McElKerney is being waked in west Belfast on Monday night

Earlier a group of around 30 men and woman, who had their faces covered, stood to attention as Mr McElkerney’s coffin, which was draped in tricolour and starry plough flags, was brought to the family home.

Around 50 other people dressed in white shirts and black ties, who lined part of the route, saluted as his remains passed by.

The 57-year-old took his own life in a shooting at the republican plot at Milltown cemetery last week.

He was jailed following the death of Kevin Valliday (11), Stephen Bennett (14) and Lance Bombardier Kevin Waller (20) in an INLA bomb at the Divis Flats complex in west Belfast in 1982.

Superintendent Melanie Jones described the display as a “reckless act”.

Police carry out a search of an area in the DIvis area after masked men fire shots outside the wake house of Martin McElkerney Picture Mal McCann.
Police carry out a search of an area in the DIvis area after masked men fire shots outside the wake house of Martin McElkerney Picture Mal McCann. Police carry out a search of an area in the DIvis area after masked men fire shots outside the wake house of Martin McElkerney Picture Mal McCann.

“It was not a sign of respect. It was a criminal act with no regard for the wider wishes of law abiding people, carried out by those who would seek to exploit and control the community through the fear of violence.”

She confirmed that a search had been carried out.

“We have carried out a search of an area in Ross Street this morning and detectives investigating both incidents are aware of commentary online and in the media, and are keeping an open mind about who was involved,” she said.

Police carry out a search of an area in the DIvis area after masked men fire shots outside the wake house of Martin McElkerney Picture Mal McCann.
Police carry out a search of an area in the DIvis area after masked men fire shots outside the wake house of Martin McElkerney Picture Mal McCann. Police carry out a search of an area in the DIvis area after masked men fire shots outside the wake house of Martin McElkerney Picture Mal McCann.

DUP Policing Board member Keith Buchanan said “paramilitaries should have left the stage long ago” and that “the majority of people in Northern Ireland do not want this on our streets”.

McElkerney's funeral will take place on Thursday, leaving his home for Requiem Mass at St Peter's Cathedral at 11am.