Markets murder – Sinn Féin leader appeals for calm

AN APPEAL for calm has been made by Sinn Féin Assembly member Máirtín Ó Muilleoir after the shooting dead of community activist Gerard 'Jock' Davison in Belfast on Tuesday morning.

The killing happened around 9am in the Markets area near Belfast City Centre, police said.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD extended his condolences to the family of the murdered man and urged anyone with information to bring it to the PSNI.

He added:

“This brutal act will be condemned by all sensible people. There can be no place today for such actions.”

Sinn Féin MLA Máirtín Ó Muilleoir reported that there was shock in the local area that this man has been shot dead in such a callous fashion in broad daylight while on his way to work.

“Local people are shocked and angered by what has happened and I would appeal to people to remain calm.

“I unreservedly condemn his brutal killing and I call on the PSNI to bring his killers to justice.”

Sinn Féin South Belfast MLA Alex Maskey said:

“What we have had here today is a very brutal killing of a local man.

“He is a very well-known person in this area. His family are well-known and he is very well-regarded in this area as a long-standing republican.”