A man was charged with murder on Friday evening by detectives investigating a fatal stabbing in west Belfast.
The 32-year-old is due to appear before Lisburn Magistrates Court on Saturday following the killing of Shane Lowry at Mulberry Park in Twinbrook on Thursday evening.
He is charged with murder and possession of a blade or point.
Mr Lowry, believed to be in his 30s, was stabbed at the back of a house where he stayed with his father and his brother shortly after 8pm on Thursday.
His mother posted an online tribute to her son in the hours following the attack.
It happened at the back of a number of bungalows next to a busy supermarket as local children were playing in the area.
A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
One local speaking on Friday morning told the Irish News: “Nothing like that usually happens around here. You’d get the police in and out sometimes but never anything like this.”
“It is absolutely shocking. There are no words to describe it. The first I heard about it was this morning on the news and I just can’t believe it,” another resident said.
“I think everybody’s in shock. The kids are asking, ‘Why can’t we go out to play? What’s going on? What’s happened?’ But really, we’re all just in shock.”
“I live close by. My children didn’t see the incident itself, but they did see the aftermath and the arrest.
“My daughter came running in crying. There were so many police around, and she couldn’t settle. She was up late last night because she couldn’t sleep—she was panicking and worrying.
“It’s a close-knit community. The children usually play outside every day, often until nine at night. But last night, when it happened, they were taken straight inside. And today they still can’t go out because of the police cordons everywhere.”
Police at the scene of a stabbing in the Broom Park area of Twinbrook.
PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
Another local mum said that her kids were outside when it happened.
“Two of my kids were still outside playing when we saw the police arriving,” she said.
“There were a lot of people about, shouting and screaming. My kids didn’t actually see what happened, thankfully, but there were children in the area who did.
“It was just chaos—commotion everywhere. Really frightening.”
A funeral notice appeared online for the deceased man.
It reads: ” Shane Tony, RIP died suddenly 21st August 2025.Beloved son of Breda and Marty.
“He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.
“Funeral arrangements to follow.
“St Padre Pio Pray for him. Deeply regretted by his entire family circle.”
Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of a man in his 30s following a stabbing incident in Dunmurry on Thursday evening.
Officers attended the scene in the Mulberry Park area after 8.15pm alongside the ambulance service.
The man was pronounced dead, and… pic.twitter.com/lU02byDzBd
— The Irish News (@irish_news) August 22, 2025
Speaking at the scene, local MLA Danny Baker said: “Last night we had two very serious incidents. There was a fire at a block of flats not far away. We were on scene and there was a lot of relief that no one was hurt.
“But unfortunately, news came through very quickly at the same time that someone had been stabbed in the community. When we got here, we knew it was very serious, and sadly our worst fears were confirmed this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are firmly with the family.
“It’s a very close-knit community, and everyone knows everybody. My thoughts and prayers are with the family this morning.
Police at the scene of a stabbing in the Broom Park area of Twinbrook.
PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
“I would ask people not to speculate. There are a lot of rumours going around that there’s a family at the heart of this. The police have an open investigation. People should come forward with whatever information they have to help.”
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Phillips: “We received a report at around 8.15pm that a man aged in his 30s had been stabbed in the Mulberry Park area of Dunmurry.
“Officers attended, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Sadly, he was pronounced dead.
“A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody. At this time, we are not seeking anyone else in connection with this investigation.”