Malcolm McKeown: Two men found guilty over Waringstown murder

The murder case of Malcolm McKeown in 2019 has concluded as two men have been found guilty of the crime. Jake O’Brien and Andrew Martin are now facing the repercussions of their actions in Belfast Crown Court. Meanwhile, two other men, Stevie Lee Watson and Simon Smyth, have been acquitted of murder charges in the same case.

Andrew Martin confessed to “aiding and abetting” Mr. McKeown’s murder but did not receive acceptance by the Crown. The tragic incident resulted in Mr. McKeown losing his life due to multiple bullet wounds, showing signs of a meticulously planned attack that took place in Waringstown. The victim’s involvement in a dispute with a criminal group known as ‘The Firm’ added complexity to the case.

During the trial, Judge Mr. Justice Fowler expressed his judgment on the matter. He labeled Mr. McKeown’s assassination as a “carefully planned and brutal assassination.” The strong evidence presented against Martin and O’Brien led to their conviction, with both sentenced to life imprisonment pending a detailed review in September.

Mr. McKeown’s past experiences and background indicated that he was cautious of potential attacks by criminals. Following his release from prison, his tragic death left authorities with a challenging case to solve. Forensic evidence, including DNA traces and CCTV footage, played a crucial role in identifying the perpetrators behind this dreadful crime

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