Police 'know identity' of Emmet Shiels' killers

The policeman leading the investigation into the death of Emmet Shiels in Londonderry in 2008 has said he knows the identity of his killers.

On Tuesday Gary Meenan, 20, from Bishop Street, was sentenced to eight years in jail after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

Mr Shiels, 22, died after he was shot twice by masked gunmen in Creggan.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Harrison said he would pursue the suspects until they are brought to justice.

"We know that other people were involved in Emmet's murder, and it's only right and proper that we secure justice for him, his family, and his son who will never know his father.

"My appeal is directly to the people of Derry. They may have information and not realise the significance of it, but I need people to come forward and bring any information to the attention of the police.

"I know the identity the people who were involved, but I just need that smaller piece of additional evidence to get those persons into court.

"It is our intent to pursue them until we get a satisfactory conclusion."

Chief Inspector Harrison also said police were still looking for the weapons used by Mr Shiels' kilers.

"These weapons have not to date been recovered, and my concern would be that these weapons could be produced and used and some other person could lose their life.

"A young child has been robbed of its father, we still have weapons and not available, and we need to get those off the streets of Derry," he said.

During sentencing on Tuesday, Mr Justice Hart said it was accepted Meenan had not fired the fatal shot, but was a "willing participant" in the events which led to Mr Shiels' death.

The 22-year-old, whose first child was born six days after his death, was delivering pizzas when he was caught up in a confrontation with masked gunmen, including Meenan, and was shot twice.

Mr Shiels family have said they want everyone involved in Emmet's killing brought to justice.

"Somebody was jailed, but we know the rest of the gang is out there," said his sister Maureen Wilkinson.

His brother Kevin Moore said the family was happy with the outcome, but others had to be prosecuted.

"The family's just glad that somebody's been convicted after two and a half years, but it's the start of the process of bringing Emmet's killers to justice.

"People have information about what happened that night and they still haven't come forward, and we would ask them to come forward.

"Gary Meenan started his eight year sentence yesterday, and that's a start for us, but it's not closure.

"It'll only become closure when everyone involved is brought to justice."

Mr Shiels' brother and sister appealed to Meenan to tell the police what he knows.

"He has to live with this for the rest of his life," said Maureen Wilkinson.

"He was there that night, and he has to go to sleep every night with my brother's face behind his eyes."

"He is the only person who knows what happened," said Kevin Moore. "He was with the other people involved that night, and we would appeal to him to come forward and tell the police what he knows so they can bring the others to justice and our family can finally move on."