TWO men have been jailed for murdering a man in broad daylight in Co. Down.
Malcolm McKeown, 54, was shot dead in Waringstown in August 2019.
Jake O’Brien, 31, from Rectory Road in Lurgan and Andrew Martin, 30, of Bridge Street in Banbridge, were both found guilty of his murder, and also the possession of firearms, earlier this year.
They appeared before Antrim Crown Court yesterday (October 6) for sentencing, where O’Brien was told he will serve a minimum of 26 years in prison and Martin will serve a minimum of 24 years.
Both were also given indeterminate sentences of 10 years for possession of firearms and ammunition with intent, which will run concurrently.
Malcolm McKeown was shot dead in broad daylight in Co. Down (Pic PSNI)“Malcolm McKeown was 54 years old when his life was cruelly taken,” the PSNI’s Detective Inspector Jennifer Rea said following the sentencing.
“He had gone into a shop at a garage in the Main Street area of Waringstown on the evening of August 19 in 2019, and returned to his car some minutes later,” she explained.
“It was here, in his car, that he was shot at close range.
“Mr McKeown was shot at least six times in a calculated and cold-blooded execution, which took place in broad daylight.
“His body was found, in his parked car, by two young teenagers who, I’ve no doubt, will have been left scarred by their terrible discovery that evening.”
Det Insp Rea said the "brutal and targeted attack" left an entire community "shaken" and his family "bereft".
“Mr McKeown was a much-loved father of three, who have each since endured further sorrow by the passing of their mother," she explained.
"He was a grandfather, a brother and an uncle.”
Det Insp Rea added: “Those responsible had one intention – to kill.
"And they showed no thought for anyone, including children, in the area at that time.
"Surely, such acts of shocking and senseless violence have no place whatsoever in our society.
“This was a murder, involving the use of firearms, which was pre-planned and organised.
"I want to be clear that police continue, and will continue, to work tirelessly to investigate and bring those involved in such organised criminality to justice.”
See More: Down, Malcolm McKeown, Murder, Sentencing
