Taxi driver assassinated in North

A Catholic taxi driver was shot dead last night in the North. The man was found dead in his cab at the village of Donaghmore, Co Tyrone.

It is thought the murder was not sectarian. The fatal shooting took place just before 11pm last night. It is believed the man, thought to be in his fifties, was shot as he pulled up outside a snooker club.

He had been called out to pick up a passenger in Annaghbeg Park, Donaghmore. He was hit in the head and is believed to have died instantly.

Police were called and sealed off the scene and have now launched their murder investigation. Initial reports are that the killing may have been the result of a dispute sparked by an incident last week.

It is understood the dead man was known to the police. The murder is bound to cause unionists to ask if the mainstream IRA was involved.

Earlier this year, republicans were accused of murdering a known drugs dealer in Castlewellan, Co Down, but the local Sinn Fein assemblyman denied the claim.