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BBC News
07-05-2025
- BBC News
Police defend pixelating face of suspected Sean O'Reilly shooter
Police defend blurring suspect's face over taxi driver shooting 13 minutes ago Share Save Share Save PSNI On Tuesday detectives released still images of the two suspects with the aim of encouraging anyone with information, or footage, to come forward 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. Pacemaker Mr O'Reilly survived the shooting but underwent surgery to remove a bullet from his collarbone and repair a damaged nerve in his arm 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."
BBC News
06-05-2025
- BBC News
Sean O'Reilly: CCTV released of suspects in taxi driver shooting
CCTV images released of suspects in taxi driver shooting Just now Share Save Share Save Police Service of Northern Ireland The release of the CCTV images is part of an appeal that includes a reward of up to £20,000 for information CCTV images of two suspects thought to be involved in the attempted murder of a taxi driver in west Belfast earlier this year have been released by the police. Sean O'Reilly, 49, was shot twice as he sat inside his taxi in the Bell Steel Manor area on 23 February. 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. A reward of £20,000 has been offered from the charity Crimestoppers as detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI's) major investigation team reiterated their appeal for information. In a statement, Det Insp Gina Quinn said detectives believe the two gunmen approached the vehicle on foot from a path that runs between the Glenwood and Laurelbank areas. "The first image shows the two gunmen, one of whom is wearing a high-vis yellow jacket," she said. She added that the image shows the men at about 09:50 GMT and that they're travelling to carry out the attack, which happened at about 10:25 GMT. "The second image was taken at around 10.35am and shows the two men just after the shooting. Here, the yellow jacket has been discarded. "Having fired a number of shots at the victim, the two made off, again on foot, heading back via the same path, crossing the Stewartstown Road, and entering the Glasvey area. "They then crossed the Twinbrook Road and entered the Gardenmore Road area." Det Insp Quinn added: "I am making a direct appeal to local people to share any footage, whether CCTV, dash cam or mobile phone footage. "I am appealing to you to do the right thing and speak up."
