Northern Ireland

Police release images of car used in murder of Malcolm McKeown (54)

The dark blue VW Passat, registration RK62 PLX, used in the murder of Malcolm McKeown in Waringstown. Picture from PSNI
The dark blue VW Passat, registration RK62 PLX, used in the murder of Malcolm McKeown in Waringstown. Picture from PSNI The dark blue VW Passat, registration RK62 PLX, used in the murder of Malcolm McKeown in Waringstown. Picture from PSNI

POLICE investigating the murder of Malcolm McKeown last month have released new images of a car believed to have been used by those responsible.

The 54-year-old was shot on Monday August 19 in the car park of a service station in Waringstown, Co Down.

Police are urging anyone who saw a dark blue Volkswagen Passat, registration RK62 PLX, on the evening of the murder to contact them.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Montgomery said: "The car was seen at 6.20pm in Cambrai Heights before the shooting. The CCTV shows it travelling on the Dunkirk Road at 6.22pm and then entering Dewarts Garage at 6.23pm.

"I believe the gunmen waited in it at the back of the filling station for around 56 minutes before shooting Malcolm McKeown. The CCTV shows the vehicle leaving Dewarts Garage at 7.19pm.

"His body was found slumped in his parked car at the side of the garage at around 9pm. I would like to hear from anyone who saw the car or the people inside the Passat during these times.

"Were you at the garage or were you driving in the area and have dashcam footage? The car was later found burnt out on the Glenavon Lane in Lurgan at approximately 7.26pm. Did you see the occupants get out of it and set it on fire? If so, do you know where they went?"

Malcolm McKeown (54)
Malcolm McKeown (54) Malcolm McKeown (54)

DCI Montgomery also appealed to parents who attended a nearby youth football training event to get in touch if they saw any suspicious activity, along with anyone who saw Mr McKeown earlier in the day in Lurgan or Craigavon.

Two men have been charged with the murder of the father-of-three, who was shot six times in the head and body.