Children Scream As Former IRA Leader Shot Dead

A former IRA leader has been shot dead in the Markets area of Belfast - as children were on their way to school.

The victim, named locally as Gerard 'Jock' Davison, was a community worker in south Belfast.

Witnesses said children ran to the scene screaming "Daddy, Daddy" minutes after shots were fired.

The one-time IRA commander was a prominent supporter of Sinn Fein throughout the peace process.

His uncle, Brendan 'Ruby' Davison, was murdered by loyalists in the same area in 1988.

'Jock' Davison was questioned about the murder of Robert McCartney in 2005, but not charged.

Robert McCartney’s sisters led an international campaign following the death of their brother in Magennis’s Bar.

No one has ever been charged with the murder of the 33-year-old father of two.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said: "This brutal act will be condemned by all sensible people - there can be no place for such actions.

"I would urge anyone with any information to bring that forward to the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland)."

SDLP leader Alisdair McDonnell said: "This is a horrendous crime and those responsible have shown no regard for anyone that could have been caught in the middle of it during the school rush hour.

"People here want to move on from the violence of the past. This community will reject those who bring murder and mayhem to our streets."

Alliance councillor Paula Bradshaw added: "Guns have no place on our streets - those responsible for this vicious crime are a danger to our society and must urgently be apprehended by the police."

Police remain at the scene of the shooting in Welsh Street and have erected forensic tents.

They have appealed for anyone with information to contact them on the 101 number or anonymously via the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.