Police 'know identity of murderers'

Daniel McGurk: Murder victim

Police investigating the murder of a west Belfast man believe they know who killed him, it has emerged.

Dissident republicans were blamed for shooting 35-year-old Danny McGurk at his home in the nationalist lower Falls area in August.

In a renewed appeal for information on Tuesday, detectives said the public's help was needed to get the evidence to charge the people believed to have carried out the killing of the father-of-six.

Up to nine people have been questioned, while a number of vehicles seized since the murder are still being examined by forensic scientists.

Superintendent Hugo Frew, who is leading the investigation, said he believed the Real IRA was to blame for the killing.

I can fully understand why people living in that area would be afraid to come forward Superintendent Hugo Frew

He said: "We have interviewed everyone we have identified as being connected with an incident the week before or the murder itself.

"I believe I know who carried out this crime; we have very firm suspects for this murder."

Superintendent Frew said potential witnesses had not come forward because they were frightened.

"I can fully understand why people living in that area would be afraid to come forward," he said.

"We are not in the business of forcing people to become witnesses."

Mr McGurk's mother, Mary, said she wanted justice but had met with a wall of silence.

"The murderers won't be caught unless someone has a guilty conscience and gives themselves up to police," she said.

"Why haven't these people at least claimed it or given us a reason why they did it?

"Speak to me, and tell me. Or are they too ashamed?"