A SUSPECT in the murder of west Belfast man Kieran McManus has failed to give evidence at his inquest.
Coroner Paddy McGurgan heard that the man, who is currently serving a prison sentence, had been given an opportunity to provide evidence but said he did not wish to.
Mr McManus was gunned down outside a takeaway at Kennedy Way in west Belfast in March 2013.
Earlier this week the inquest, which was held in Belfast, heard that the 26-year-old was killed at close range by a man using a shotgun outside Domino’s Pizza in the Kennedy Way area of west Belfast.
At a previous hearing a detective sergeant involved in the investigation identified two suspects and confirmed that a third person had been eliminated.
Under questioning from barrister Neil Fox, representing the McManus family, he said that the two named suspects cannot be linked to either the getaway car or the murder.
During yesterday’s hearing Mr McGurgan said he recognised “how difficult it is for the family to come to court and hear the evidence”.
“I pay tribute to their dignity,” he added.
“The way you have attended every day and listened to very difficult evidence.”
The coroner added: “What is required of me now is I have to consider all the evidence and deliver my findings.”
