Unconfirmed reports of murder suspect being spotted in Londonderry

The latest appeal for information about the whereabouts of Kieran McLaughlin follows a 10-hour Garda operation at a house in the Bridgend/ Iskaheen/ Muff area overnight which failed to find the suspect.

A PSNI statement issued just before 5:30pm today said: “Police continue to warn the public about a man they wish to speak to in connection with the murder of Barry McCrory in the Shipquay Street area of Derry, Thursday 10 October.”

Detective Chief Inspector Harrison added: “We are continuing to appeal to the public for their assistance in establishing the current whereabouts of 58 year old Kieran McLaughlin. I can confirm there have been a number unconfirmed sightings of Mr McLaughlin in the Derry area but it is imperative that future sightings of Kieran are reported to police immediately and reiterate to the public not to approach him, but to contact police on 999 if you think you know of his whereabouts.

“I would also emphasise to Kieran to contact police immediately as we are actively seeking to speak with you. It is our wish that this matter is resolved without further incident”

Kiernan McLaughlin is described as being 5’7” tall, of medium build, with blue eyes and grey hair.

The public are requested not to approach this person, but are asked to contact police immediately on 0845 600 8000 if they think they know of his whereabouts.

McLaughlin was jailed for 18 years in November 2001 for arms offences linked to the Real IRA. It’s been reported that police suspect that McLaughlin was involved in an attack on a 46-year-old man in Rathkeele Way in Creggan on Tuesday. The man suffered slash wounds to his hand.

Mr McCrory was at home when his attacker entered a flat situated above a business premises at the top end of Shipquay Street in the heart of the city centre on Thursday morning and after forcing the victim’s partner into an adjoining room, cold-bloodedly shot Mr McCrory. The woman was later taken away by ambulance, wrapped in a blanket.

The lone gunman who appears to have walked to and from the murder is said to have walked through the city’s Richmond Centre, up Shipquay Street, was ‘buzzed’ into a communal area of the flats via an intercom sysyem then accessed the victim’s flat.

Dectective Chief Inspector (DCI) Ian Harrison, leading PSNI officer on the case, said the killer wore a dark coloured bomber jacket, dark clothes and was carrying a rucksack.

DCI Harrison described the killing as a “disgraceful murder” and appealed for the local community to provide information to catch the assailant.