Belfast shooting: Man killed was suspect in murder of teenager who was found dismembered in Dublin

Local reports suggest victim had possible link to killing of 17-year-old Keane Mulready Woods

Robbie Lawlor, 35, has been named locally as the victim of the Belfast shooting

A man shot dead in Belfast on Saturday was a suspect in the gruesome murder of a teenager in January, reports have alleged.

The victim, named locally as Robbie Lawlor, 35, was shot at close range at a property in the Ardoyne area of Belfast shortly before midday on Saturday.

Reports have said he was linked to the killing of 17-year-old Keane Mulready Woods, whose dismembered remains were found in Dublin earlier this year.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed that four men have been arrested in connection with the shooting of Lawlor.

They are currently being questioned by detectives in PSNI custody.

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy of the PSNI said the force was following “a number of lines of inquiry”.

He condemned the murder as a “brutal killing” and said he was “astounded by the recklessness of the killer or killers”, who placed the community at risk.

He added: “Those involved in this murder selfishly gave no thought to the impact on frontline emergency services who are already working hard to keep people safe with an already stretched resource.”

The PSNI has appealed to members of the public who have information to come forward, saying the area was busy with pedestrians and people at the time of the killing.

Politicians have also condemned the murder.

Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary, described it as “an abhorrent and brutal crime, for which there is no excuse.”

Naomi Long, the Stormont justice minister, offered her sympathies to the victim’s family, calling the crime a “senseless murder”.

Additional reporting from PA