The scene of Tommy Crossan’s murder on the Springfield Road, west Belfast

THE CONTINUITY IRA have shot dead one of its former leaders as part of an internal feud.

Tommy Crossan died after a gunman fired two shots into his head on the Springfield Road in west Belfast this afternoon.

Crossan, who has served a number of prison sentences for dissident republican activity, had in the past been accused of working for the PSNI and RUC Special Branch.

He had also been living under the shadow of death threats for many years following a series of splits inside the Continuity IRA in Belfast.

CIRA leaders had accused him of carrying out robberies for his own self gain and that of a criminal gang.