Fresh appeal in murder inquiry

John Allen with his sister, Amanda, in August

Police have issued a fresh appeal for information about the murder of a man who was shot by loyalist paramilitaries at his flat in County Antrim last week.

John Allen, 31, died after being shot in the head and legs by two masked men at a flat at Rashee Park, Ballyclare, last Saturday.

He was taken to Antrim Area Hospital but died a few hours later.

Detectives revisited the scene of the shooting on Friday night and questioned motorists and passersby outside Mr Allen's home.

The Ulster Volunteer Force has been blamed for the killing.

Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said the gunmen intended to kill Mr Allen.

I have no information to say this was sanctioned or not, but nobody has the right to take anybody's life Duncan McCausland Assistant Chief Constable

"There is a piece of speculation going about that this was the result of a so-called paramilitary punishment shooting gone wrong," he said.

"It's our considered opinion, based on analysis of the scene, that Mr Allen was murdered."

Mr Allen's father, also called John, said he believed his son may have been targeted as he was the best friend of a man on a witness protection scheme in a court case involving alleged UVF members.

Mr Allen said the police had told him the killing was carried out by the UVF, but he denied claims that the shooting was a paramilitary-style attack which had gone wrong.

He said he believed loyalist gunmen meant to murder his son.

Mr Allen said police told him John had had a warning from the UVF to get out, which he ignored.

Last weekend, loyalist and other sources insisted that the shooting was not sanctioned by the paramilitary leadership.

Mr Allen was shot by masked gunmen at his flat

BBC Northern Ireland security editor Brian Rowan said at the time that that denial appeared to fit with security assessments.

Loyalist sources suggested that the victim had been a member of the UVF and other sources confirmed he had links with that group.

Mr McCausland confirmed police were investigating the paramilitaries but refused to say whether rogue members carried out the attack.

"There are a number of active lines of inquiry, and one involves loyalist paramilitaries," he said.

"I have no information to say this was sanctioned or not, but nobody has the right to take anybody's life."