Man shot dead in broad daylight near Belfast school

'Absolutely sickening' shooting witnessed by students, local councillor says

Police are attending the scene on Glen Road of a suspected shooting (PA)

A man has been shot dead close to a school in west Belfast.

The shooting occurred at Glen Road on Tuesday afternoon as children were being picked up from nearby St Mary's Grammar School. Police attended the scene.

Tim Attwood, a Social Democratic and Labour Party councillor, claimed the victim of the shooting was killed "instantly".

"It is absolutely sickening that a gun was fired in the vicinity of both a primary and secondary school in west Belfast today," he said.

"A number of pupils witnessed this fatality and are understandably very disturbed and frightened after this reckless act occurred nearby the school gates.

"There is absolutely no place for this in 2018; this madness belongs in the past and we cannot allow it to once again become our normality.

"I cannot stress enough that any information relating to this incident must be passed to the PSNI immediately."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: "Due to an incident on the Glen Rd, west Belfast, drivers are advised the area between the Monagh bypass & Glen Rd junction up to Shaws Rd & Glen Rd junction is closed until further notice.

"Please avoid the area & seek alternative route if possible."

Transport operator Translink said its services had been diverted.