Detectives have made a renewed appeal for information on the third anniversary of the murder of wealthy drug baron Jim Donegan.

Donegan – also known as ‘JD’ – was murdered outside his son’s school in west Belfast on Tuesday, 4 December 2018.

The 43-year-old father was murdered as he waited to pick up his 13-year-old son. 

He was sat inside his £60,000 red Porsche Panamera, registration JDZ 34, on the Glen Road.

Police believe he was set up by close pals in the cocaine trade and was gunned down in a plot hatched by the INLA and Oglaigh na hEireann.

Detective Chief Inspector Phelan said: “This ruthless execution was carried out in broad daylight by a lone gunman in front of hundreds of innocent schoolchildren and their parents. 

“He didn’t care who saw him or whom he traumatised. 

“He showed total contempt for anyone who was in the vicinity. 

“I believe that the information police require lies within the community and today I am making an appeal to the community: if you have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please come forward to police. 

“Help us to bring this cold-blooded murderer to justice.”

Detective Chief Inspector Phelan continued: “Jim was a husband, a brother, a father to two sons and a stepfather.

“Ask yourself how you would feel if this was your loved one who was taken away in such a cold and callous fashion.  Jim’s family deserve answers and justice.

“If you have information, call police on 101 or submit a report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.”