Sky News was brought to a halt as presenter Jonathan Samuels announced that Northern Ireland police have confirmed two people have died and two people have been seriously injured in a fatal shooting in Maguiresbridge. On Wednesday (July 23), the 53-year-old broadcaster issued a statement from the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The presenter reassured viewers that part of the site is closed but that there was no ongoing risks from the public from the shooting in the rural village southwest of Belfast.

Police and paramedics were called to an address in the village after 8am on Wednesday. One person was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital by Air Ambulance and the other to South West Acute Hospital by air ambulance.

Police tape near a green area off Old Lane, Little Hulton Picture Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening (Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police are currently at the scene of a shooting incident within the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge. We can confirm two people have died and two people are being treated in hospital for serious injuries. We can advise there is no ongoing risk to the public. A further update will follow in due course.”

A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service added: “The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 08:21 on Wednesday 23rd July, following reports of an incident in the Drummeer Road area, Maguiresbridge.

“NIAS dispatched 3 Emergency Ambulances, 1 Radio Response Paramedic, 2 Ambulance Officers and an Ambulance Doctor to the incident. Ambulance control also asked the Chairty Air Ambulance, with HEMS team on board, to attend.

“Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient has been taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast by Air Ambulance and another to South West Acute Hospital by Ambulance.”

Deborah Erskine, who represents the area in Northern Ireland Assembly, said that the community was “stunned” by the shooting in a “rural, quiet area”. She added: “The area of Maguiresbridge where this has happened is a rural, quiet area and everyone is deeply affected by what has happened this morning.

“My deepest condolences are with the families of those who have been killed as a result of this incident. Their lives have been turned upside down this morning. This morning I was speaking to the police dealing with the incidnt.

“I paid tribute to the emergency services at the scene. I also appeal for privacy to allow the PSNI to carry out their investigations.”