Man dies after loyalist shooting

A 22-year-old man tonight became the third victim of a bloody feud between loyalist paramilitaries.

Alexander McKinley, who was shot in the head in east Belfast last Monday, died in hospital today.

Mr McKinley from Portallo Street was attacked in Euston Street in the Woodstock area of the city.

At the scene of the shooting, police connected the attack to the feud between the largest loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Defence Association and the Loyalist Volunteer Force.

His death came as the two groups were engaged in a delicate process of mediation to end the shooting war.

Last week the LVF issued a statement aimed at bringing an end to the conflict, which began when one of their leading members Stephen Warnock was gunned down in Newtownards, Co Down in September.

This was followed by the wounding of senior east Belfast UDA member Jim Gray a few days later.

The second victim was Geoffrey Thomas Gray, 41, who was shot dead at Ravenhill Avenue in east Belfast.

Loyalist sources tonight expressed hope that Mr McKinley’s death would not affect efforts taking place to end the blood-letting.