THE INLA has shot dead a member of its breakaway "GHQ" group in west Belfast. The man, who was named locally as Mr Francis Shannon (23), is the fifth person to be killed in the paramilitary organisation's continuing feud.
Mr Shannon was shot four times from close range by a gunman as he walked along Norfolk Way in Turf Lodge shortly after 5.30 p.m. yesterday. He had just left a nearby house and was wearing a bullet proof vest.
He fell to the ground after being shot once in the legs and once in the head. The gunman then fired again right into his head. He died on the street. Two priests arrived at the scene shortly afterwards.
It was initially thought the man shot dead was the leader of the GHQ group, who bears a resemblance to Mr Shannon. The INLA's Belfast Brigade last night admitted responsibility for the shooting.
Mr Shannon was from Ardoyne in north Belfast. It is believed he once had his arms and legs broken in an IRA "punishment" attack for alleged anti social behaviour.
He was shot dead in front off children who were playing in the street. The RUC described the attack as callous.
Detective Chief Supt Derek Martindale, who visited the scene, said it was a very clinical, paramilitary type shooting.
Forensic experts last night combed the scene, which was sealed off from the public. The RUC has set up an incident room at Woodbourne barracks.
The INLA feud has its roots in a courtroom statement made by four men last year facing arms charges after they were arrested in Balbriggan, Co Dublin. The men declared an INLA ceasefire, but the paramilitary group claimed the statement was made without its authority and they were later expelled from the movement.
In January, people loyal to these men shot dead Gino Gallagher, who had taken over as chief of staff. Mr Gallagher's killers call themselves the "GHQ" group. It was the first killing in a feud in which the five people have died.
Mr Shannon's natural father, Mr John Fennell, who was a leading member of the "GHQ" group, was beaten to death with breeze blocks in March. The INLA is numerically stronger than the "GHQ" group and is better armed. It has the support of INLA prisoners.
It has carried out four of the five killings during the feud. Further attacks are expected.
Unionist politicians have called for strong security measures to be taken against the INLA.