Further seven suspects identified in alleged gangland murder case

A further seven suspects have been identified as part of the investigation into the alleged gangland killing of Malcolm McKeown, the High Court has heard.

Police are set to submit files on the individuals to the Public Prosecution Service within the next week, a judge was told.

The disclosure came as two men charged with the murder in Waringstown, Co Down last year attended a review of their release on bail.

Mr McKeown, 54, was shot six times in the head and body at a petrol station on 19 August.

Police have said the killing is tied in with a drugs-related feud between rival criminal groups.

Jake O'Brien and Andrew Martin, both aged 24, are jointly accused of murdering Mr McKeown, who was found dead in his car parked on Main Street.

A Crown lawyer revealed how the probe into the fatal attack has now widened out.

She said: "There are seven other suspects to be added to the matter."Police will submit full files in respect of the seven other suspects next week."

O'Brien, from Rectory Park in Lurgan, and Martin, of Trasna Way in the Co Armagh town, both deny any role in the killing.

Prosecutors said they were charged after CCTV footage showed a Volkswagen Passat speeding away from the garage within a minute of the shooting.

About ten minutes later that car was set on fire, with two men in boiler suits viewed running away.

O'Brien is also allegedly linked to the shooting by DNA on a glove found close to the suspected getaway vehicle.

The two accused were granted provisional bail last month, but ordered to attend today's hearing.

With both men having fully complied with conditions imposed on them, Lord Justice McCloskey agreed to their continued release.

They are banned from entering Lurgan or Waringstown, must not leave Northern Ireland, and can only travel on public transport.