Man held over shooting death outside bookies in 1976

PSNI detectives have arrested a man (55) in connection with the murder almost 37 years ago of Paul McNally, a Catholic from north Belfast.

Mr McNally (26), a married man, and another local man were shot on June 5th, 1976, as they left Sean Graham’s bookmakers at the junction of Brompton Park and Crumlin Road in what police believe was a random sectarian attack.

Mr McNally died in hospital from his injuries four days later while the other man, although seriously injured, survived the attack.

As the two men who carried out the shooting were running away from the scene, they were fired on by a passing British army patrol.

Det Chief Insp Justyn Galloway said police reopened the investigation following the receipt of information and a number of preliminary inquiries.

“Much has changed over the past 36 years in many aspects of life, in terms of policing, politics, personal outlooks and relationships.

“I would ask those who have information about Paul’s murder to think about what they know, do the right thing and talk to police,” Det Chief Insp Galloway added.