A major security operation in Derry last night is believed to have been prompted by reports that wanted suspected killer Kieran McLaughlin had been in the area.
The scene in during last night’s security operation in Ederowen Park.
It is understood the operation was centred round the home of McLaughlin’s daughter’s home in Ederowen Park in the Galliagh area which he visited regularly before going on the run.
Local residents claimed the fugitive had visited the area to return to a man a car he had borrowed from him before the killing.
A large number of police land rovers, backed up by aerial support from a helicopter, stayed in the area for several hours.
One resident said: “It was like a siege. I never saw so many police here before. There have been regular mobile patrols since Thursday but there has never been as many police here as there was on this occasion.”
Police were not available to comment on the claims.
The operation came less than 24 hours after a major “stand off” at a house at Brae Road in the Burnfoot area about five miles from Ederowen Park. The operation, which featured members of the Garda’s elite armed reponse unit, ended at 4.00am yesterday with Gardai confirming no one was in the house and no arrests were made.
Since the murder of Barry McCrory in a flat in Shipquay Street in Derry on Thursday morning last, a huge manhunt has been under way in both sides of the border for McLaughlin, who police have named as the chief suspect in the killer.
Mr McCrory (35) was shot dead by a lone gunman who coolly mingled with shoppers as he made his gateaway after the killing.
The funeral of the father of one will take place in St Joseph’s Church in Galliagh on Tuesday. The church is situated around 200 yards from McLaughlin’s daughter’s home which was at the centre of last night’s operation.
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