Police probe possible drugs link in Antrim shooting

A possible drugs link to a man shot dead by police in Northern Ireland is today being investigated.

Officers working for Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan have been called in following the death of Neil John McConville in the attack near Lisburn, Co Antrim.

Police opened fire on a car the dead man, who was in his early 20s and from Bleary, Craigavon, was travelling in, after it struck two officers.

Another man in the red Vauxhall Cavalier suffered gunshot wounds to the arm and was taken to hospital, where he is expected to be questioned later.

One of the police officers hit by the car suffered back, leg and arm injuries.

He is in Lagan Valley Hospital where his condition is described as comfortable.

As Mrs O’Loan’s office and the Police Service of Northern Ireland launched separate investigations, sources confirmed a major security operation had been mounted before the shooting last night.

One said: “We are talking about a criminality issue around drugs rather than terrorism.”

It is believed a gun was found in the car, which police said had been driving suspiciously and failed to stop.

Mrs O’Loan’s chief investigating officer Dave Wood was called to the scene of the shooting on the Crumlin Road at Upper Ballinderry.

He confirmed the death was the first caused by a police shooting that the Ombudsman’s office had investigated since it was set up.

Mr Wood refused to confirm if the dead man had been involved in criminal activity.

“These matters will be fully and thoroughly investigated,” he said.

“The police will be doing a separate investigation as to any offences these men and others may or may not have been involved in.”