Opinion

Killers of Kieran Wylie must be brought to justice

It seems almost incomprehensible that in the midst of a pandemic, when people are rightly focused on staying safe and saving lives, some evil individuals have been engaged in plotting murder.

The killing of Kieran Wylie at his home in Lenadoon Avenue, west Belfast on Sunday night by two gunmen was a barbaric crime. The 57-year-old was shot a number of times at close range and, despite the efforts of local residents who tried to help him, he sadly died at the scene.

Mr Wylie's daughters, aged 28 and 16, witnessed the murder of their father, a truly horrifying ordeal that will cause unimaginable trauma.

There is understandable shock in the wider community at this dreadful killing but also anger that anyone should pick up a gun and perpetrate such a crime, particularly at a time when the emergency services are dealing with the greatest public health crisis any of us have ever experienced.

The motive for this murder is under investigation with Detective Chief Inspector Darren McCartney confirming that one line of inquiry is dissident republican involvement.

The officer said Mr Wylie was known to police and several years ago was subject to a threat from dissidents.

It must be said in the strongest terms that there can be no possible justification for taking this man's life and plunging his family into unbearable grief and anguish, their lives forever marked by this brutal murder.

Far too many people in our society know what it is like to lose a loved one in violent circumstances, it is a trauma that never ends.

Those who planned and carried out this crime will have been well aware of the pain and suffering they were inflicting on Mr Wylie's relatives.

Their actions demonstrate a level of cruelty and ruthlessness that for many of us is impossible to fathom.

Anyone who supports groups that espouse violence need to fully understand the despicable lengths to which they are prepared to go.

Those who killed Mr Wylie are extremely dangerous individuals who will continue to pose a threat until they are apprehended.

If anyone has any information about this appalling murder or can help the investigation in any way, they should come forward to the PSNI as a matter of urgency.