Police defend blurring suspect's face over taxi driver shooting
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has defended blurring the face of a suspect in the shooting of taxi driver Sean O'Reilly earlier this year.
On Tuesday detectives released images of the two suspects with the aim of encouraging anyone with information, or footage, to come forward.
Sean O'Reilly, 49, has questioned why the PSNI have released these images with the faces of the suspects pixelated, whilst at the same time asking the public to help identify them.
Mr O'Reilly was shot twice as he sat inside his taxi in the Bell Steel Manor area of west Belfast on 23 February.
He survived but underwent surgery to remove a bullet from his collarbone and repair a damaged nerve in his arm.
He was said to be a member of Republican Network for Unity, a small political group with links to the dissident organisation Óglaigh na hÉireann.
In a statement on behalf of Mr O'Reilly, his solicitor Peter Corrigan said: "We have serious concerns around the investigation into our clients attempted murder.
"This is just the latest unusual occurrence in this investigation. We see no good reason why the PSNI would ask for help in identifying suspects and at the same time take steps to pixelate the faces of the suspects.
"One has to question the motive behind this and who the PSNI are seeking to protect. We will now add this to a long list of complaints already made to the Police Ombudsman in relation to the handling of the case."
In response, the PSNI said that "In one of the images, the face of one suspect has been pixelated. This has been purposefully applied in order to prevent potential misidentification or retribution.
"Instead, it is hoped that both images, backed by the reward from Crimestoppers, will encourage anyone with information to get in touch using the appropriate channels.
"Detectives have made a particular ask, and would reiterate their appeal, to anyone with CCTV to check for similar images that may have been captured from the morning of Sunday 23 February."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
21 minutes ago
Police use water cannon amid anti-immigrant violence in Northern Ireland town
LONDON -- Demonstrators pelted police with bricks, bottles and fireworks and set vehicles alight on Tuesday in a second night of anti-immigrant violence in the Northern Ireland town of Ballymena. Police used water cannon and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse a crowd of several hundred people in the town 25 miles (40 km) north of Belfast. Violence erupted Monday after a peaceful march to show support for the family of the victim of an alleged sexual assault on the weekend. Two 14-year-old boys have been charged. The suspects have not been identified because of their age. They were supported in court by a Romanian interpreter. Several houses were set on fire on the first night of disorder on Monday. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said 15 officers were injured. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said officers were 'actively working to identify those responsible for last night's racially motivated disorder in Ballymena and bring them to justice.' He said the violence should be 'loudly condemned by all right thinking people. 'Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced,' he said.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- CBS News
One man dead, another hurt in double shooting on Detroit's east side
Detroit police are investigating after one man died and another was hurt Tuesday night in a double shooting. Police say that just before 10:30 p.m., they received a Shotspotter alert at Coram Street and Rex Avenue. Responding officers encountered one of the victims, who directed them to a home where they located the other victim on the ground. The victim on the ground was pronounced dead at the scene. The other victim was taken to the hospital and was listed in critical condition. Police say the shooting appeared to stem from a domestic situation. The relationship between the victims and the suspect is unknown. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-Speak Up.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Gwinnett police seek suspect in Norcross shooting
Detectives are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect they say was involved in a Norcross shooting back in April. Authorities say a suspect fired multiple shots at a blue Hyundai Elantra at about 1 p.m. April 10. The Elantra was leaving the area of 5615 Singleton Road. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Two people were in the vehicle. They appeared to have been engaged in a transaction with the suspect shortly before the shooting. No injuries were reported as a result of the gunfire. The suspect is described as a male with medium-length hair, standing about 5 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing around 200 pounds. At the time of the shooting, the suspect was wearing a pink hoodie, white shorts, white shoes and carrying a gray bookbag. TRENDING STORIES: Man charged with posing as nurse, dispensing morphine at Haralson nursing home 'Black Mecca' no longer? Atlanta prices cause families to move out of the city They were once best friends, then one killed the other. We take you inside this bizarre murder case Detectives released a photo of the suspect and urged anyone who recognizes him or has information about this incident to come forward. Anyone with information can contact Gwinnett County Police Department detectives at 770-513-5300. Tipsters who wish to stay anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers at (8477) or visit Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
