Detectives from Legacy Investigation Branch, investigating the murder of Daniel Carson in the Lower Shankill area of Belfast in November 1973, are appealing for information on the 49th Anniversary of his murder.

Daniel was fatally wounded after he was shot by a lone gunman at the junction of Dayton Street and Greenland Street at approximately 5.30pm on 1 November 1973.

Daniel was a 28 year old married man from Dunmurry.  He had a 3 year old son and his wife was pregnant with their second son at the time of Daniel’s murder.

Detective Inspector Lee McNevison from Legacy Investigation Branch said: “Mr Carson had just left his place of employment on Dayton Street and, as he approached the junction of Dayton Street and Greenland Street, a gunman fired a number of shots at the car. Mr Carson sustained a single gunshot wound to his head and was pronounced dead a short time later in hospital.

“Daniel was an easy target and murdered simply because of his religion.  He was a family man on his way home from work when he was brutally murdered in this sickening sectarian attack.  While one man was arrested and questioned in the wake of Daniel’s murder, to date, nobody has been charged.

“Today I am appealing for anyone who may have been on Dayton Street or Greenland Street before or after the murder and who may have seen the gunman or anyone who witnessed the attacked to speak with police.

“The area was busy at the time and I believe someone must have seen the gunman or will know who this individual was.

Detective Inspector McNevison continued: “In the years since Daniel’s murder people’s circumstances and allegiances may have changed. 

“I am appealing to anyone with any knowledge of what happened that day, whether as a witness or from personal involvement, who have not spoken to police previously to do so now. 

“Despite the amount of time that has passed since the murder it is not too late, if anyone now feels they are able to talk to us, we are ready to listen.

“49 years have now passed since this merciless killing. I ask those who were involved, or heard accounts of what happened, either in the immediate aftermath or indeed over the years, to think about the devastating effect this has had on Daniel’s family, and to come forward and make themselves known to police.”

Anyone with information can contact detectives in Legacy Investigation Branch on 101 or LIBEnquiries@psni.pnn.police.uk. 

You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.