Police released a man arrested over the attempted murder of teenager in west Belfast

DETECTIVES from the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch have released a dissident republican suspect over a murder bid.

The 40-year-old was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

His arrest follows a shooting incident when a 19-year-old man was shot by two masked men in the buttock at New Barnsley Gardens around 2.30 pm.

Police said the gunmen fled in the direction of Vere Foster Walk.

The victim was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital for treatment to his non life threatening injuries.

Detectives were questioning the suspect at the serious crime suite in Antrim.

He had been released pending further inquiries.

Dissident republicans terrorists in Oglaigh na hEireann (ONH) and the ‘New IRA’ have been behind a spate of shootings in recent months ago.

The ‘New IRA’ grouping said it ‘executed father of four Kevin Kearney almost a fortnight ago in north Belfast.

The 46-year-old’s body was found in a lake in Alexandra Park off the Antrim Road with a number of bullet wounds.

Detectives described the murder of the well known drug dealer as “cold blooded and callous”.