CCTV Footage Released In Connection With Mark Lovell's Murder

Detectives from the Police Service's Major Investigation Team have renewed their appeal and released CCTV footage in connection with the murder of Mark Lovell.

Mark Lovell was shot multiple times from close range as he sat inside his car which was parked outside of his home in Ardcarn Park, Newry, on the evening of 1 December 2022.

Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Kelly said:

"This was just after 6.30pm on Thursday 1 December – a time when people would have been out and about, possibly coming home from work or planning their festive shopping.

"We believe the gunmen lay in wait for Mark before shooting him. This was a planned, ruthless and targeted attack; one which shocked an entire community and which has left a loving family bereft.

"This violence has no place in our society. One life was taken, and any passer-by could easily have been injured or killed by the reckless volley of bullets.”

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly has today released details regarding the killers' movements before the murder. He said: "I believe the gunmen travelled in a black C-Class Mercedes, which was later found burnt-out in the Dundalk area.

"I now know they followed Mark earlier that afternoon to Meigh where he was spending time with his sick mother. Mark was her sole carer.

"New CCTV footage, which we are releasing for the first time today, shows the killers’ black Mercedes at the crossroads in Meigh.

"This is at 5.11pm. The car had false Northern Ireland registration plates, however the number is not identifiable on CCTV. I know the Mercedes was stolen from the Dublin area in July 2022.

"The CCTV shows the Mercedes turning left onto Chapel Road. It immediately takes a left turn into a carpark, where it turns around and comes back again towards the same crossroads. From here, it heads right, in the direction of Forkhill.

"While the Mercedes is turning into the carpark, Mark's car can be seen approaching the same crossroads. He’s driving a black Volkswagen Golf, and is travelling from the direction of Meigh, heading towards Newry.

"He stops off in Newry city centre, before heading home to Ardcarn Park. And I believe that, when he reaches Ardcarn, the gunmen were already there and waiting."

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly has appealed to anyone with information or dash cam footage to come forward. He has reminded the public of the £20,000 reward from Crimestoppers for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Mark's murder. He said: "I understand that people may be afraid to speak up, but please be assured that information can be given to Crimestoppers with total anonymity."