15/04/2014

Kevin Kearney Murder: Man Arrested

A 32-year-old man has been arrested as part of an inquiry into the murder of Kevin Kearney in north Belfast.

Mr Kearney was shot on the morning of Tuesday, 8 October last year as he took his dogs for a walk in Alexandra Park. His body was discovered in a nearby lake at 15:30 the following afternoon.

It is understood that Mr Kearney's partner raised the alarm when he did not return home.

A dissident republican group calling itself 'the IRA' told the Irish News it had carried out the attack.

Despite several arrests, no-one has yet been charged over the murder. The 32-year-old suspect was arrested in the Docks area of north Belfast on Tuesday morning.

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Justyn Galloway, said: "Mr Kearney followed his usual weekday routine by taking his daughter to school, then returning home and at approximately 09:00 took his two dogs for a walk in Alexandra Park.

"On Tuesday the dogs returned to the Dunmore area without Mr Kearney. A relative contacted police at 20:00 on Tuesday night to say he was missing.

"Local police began to make inquiries and conducted a number of searches in the area which resulted in the discovery of Mr Kearney’s body in a lake at 15:30 yesterday. He had been shot.

"Kevin was wearing dark clothing with bright blue trainers when he was shot. I have three appeals:

Did anyone see Mr Kearney in Alexandra Park on Tuesday morning between 08:30 and 09:15 with his dogs? We know that people were in the park walking their dogs and out running.

Did anyone see a silver Peugeot 406 car in the Alexandra Park area on Tuesday morning? Its registration number is GNZ 8168. This car was found burnt out at Donore Court in the New Lodge area around 09:30 on Tuesday morning.

Does anyone have any information about Mr Kearney or those involved in his murder?"

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at the Incident Room in Musgrave Street police station on 0845 600 8000.

The independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(IT/MH)

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