A dissident republican shot in west Belfast at the weekend is to undergo surgery in Dublin after being denied permission on anti-terrorism grounds to travel to Scotland for surgery, his solicitors have said.
Taxi driver Sean O’Reilly (49) was hit twice after two masked men fired shots through the window of his taxi as it was parked in the Bell Steel Manor area of Dunmurry at around 10.30am last Sunday.
The victim’s lawyer Peter Corrigan, from Phoenix Law, said his client was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast five days ago with non-life threatening injuries and had surgery on Monday for a bullet which had lodged in his collarbone.
He said a subsequent scan showed the patient had also suffered a severed nerve in his left bicep and was told he would have to travel to a medical facility in Glasgow to have the nerve damage repaired.
The lawyer revealed that an air ambulance had been on stand-by to transport Mr O’Reilly on Wednesday evening ahead of the planned procedure on Thursday.
However the patient was subsequently denied permission to travel to Scotland.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday evening Mr O’Reilly’s legal representative said that the Belfast Trust had confirmed he would be receiving surgery in Dublin.
It comes after police confirmed they have recovered firearms and clothing which they believe may have been used by one of the shooters.
O’Reilly was sitting in his car outside the taxi firm where he works in the Bell Steel Manor area when, shortly before 10.30am, he was approached by two masked men.
Five shots were fired at him, hitting him once in the shoulder.
Hi Vis Jacket – Seized by police
Read more
In an update on Friday, the PSNI said they have carried out several searches in west Belfast and retrieved “a quantity of firearms, along with a Hi-Vis yellow jacket and dark-coloured baseball cap”, which the police believe the two masked men involved in the shooting may have been wearing during the attack.
Detective Chief Inspector Gina Quinn said: “The victim, a 49-year-old man, was shot by two masked gunmen as he sat inside a stationary white Skoda Octavia taxi. This was in the Bell Steel Manor area of Dunmurry, just before 10.30am.
Cap seized by police
“The two suspects made off from the scene prior to police arrival. I’ve already confirmed that one man was described as being dressed in dark clothing and the second described as wearing a yellow coat.
“Searches were carried out in the west Belfast area yesterday, 27 February.
“Here, we seized a quantity of firearms, along with a Hi-Vis yellow jacket and dark-coloured baseball cap. I’m releasing images of the jacket and hat, and one line of enquiry is that these are the items worn by one of the gunmen. They, along with the firearms, will now undergo forensic examination to see if they can be linked to any individual.
“Our officers continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice. And, over the next days, further searches will be carried out in the west Belfast area.”
News Catch Up – Friday 28th February
Read more
She thanked the public for their support during the investigation.
She added: “This was a ruthless attack, in broad daylight, with one intent only – to take a life. Surely this has no place in our society.
“I want to thank the public for their support, and I want to reiterate my appeal for anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to please contact us. ”
O’Reilly is a former republican prisoner and an active member of Republican Network for Unity (RNU).
The shooting comes amid an escalating feud between factions of the Óglaigh na hÉireann group, better known as ONH, with the shooting sparking fears of retaliation.
Taxi driver shot in west Belfast ‘lucky to be alive’, detective says
Allison Morris on attempted murder of Sean O’Reilly as ONH feud boils over
