Police in the North say drugs and paramilitary links are forming part of the investigation into the murder of Joe Reilly in west Belfast.

Detectives have returned to the scene of the crime one week after the 43-year-old was shot in the chest and killed.

Mr Reilly, a 43-year-old father of one, was gunned down in the living room of his home while two other people were forced to lie on the kitchen floor.

It is understood the killers, one armed with a handgun, entered the house at Glenwood Court through an open door last Thursday night, October 20.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Montgomery, who is leading the investigation, said the gunmen were wearing windcheater-type jackets with their hoods up. One of them was wearing a Celtic scarf and had dark-rimmed glasses.

He appealed for anyone who had seen these men on Thursday night on Laurel Bank to come forward to police.

There has been widespread speculation that dissident republicans may have been responsible for the killing but, as yet, no group has claimed responsibility.

Mr Montgomery said the victim had been known to police but added: “I will keep a completely open mind as to why he has been killed.”

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