Detectives in the north investigating the murder of Mark Lovell exactly one year ago today, say they believe he was the victim of a cross-border crime gang.
The 58-year-old father and husband was murdered in Newry on the evening of Thursday, 1 December 2022. Today, on the first anniversary of Mr Lovell's death, the PSNI has issued a renewed appeal for information on the murder. The PSNI appeal is backed by a £20,000 (€23,280) reward for information which leads to an arrest, by the charity, Crimestoppers. Mr Lovell's bereaved wife also made a heart-rending appeal for help in bringing her husband's killers to justice.
Mark was "loving only child, daddy, grand-daddy and husband," Eileen Hughes said. She explained how, every day, Mark made his way to look after his mother in Meigh. "Ultimately, this devotion of care was cruelly used against him by his murderers," she added. Mark Lovell was shot multiple times at close range as he sat in his parked car outside his home in Newry's Ardcarn Park.
Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Kelly said: "This was just after 6:30pm - a time when people would have been out and about, possibly coming home from work or planning their festive shopping. The DCI said police believe the gunmen lay in wait for Mark in a "planned, ruthless and targeted attack".
Releasing details of the killers' movements before the murder, the officer said investigators believe the gunmen travelled in a black C-Class Mercedes, which was later found burnt out in the Dundalk area. DCI Kelly said police now know Mark's killers followed him on his way to his sick mother's house.
New CCTV footage, which we are releasing for the first time today, shows the killers’ black Mercedes at the crossroads in Meigh. “This is at 5.11pm. The car had false Northern Ireland registration plates, however the number is not identifiable on CCTV. I know the Mercedes was stolen from the Dublin area in July 2022.
“The CCTV shows the Mercedes turning left onto Chapel Road. It immediately takes a left turn into a carpark, where it turns around and comes back again towards the same crossroads. From here, it heads right, in the direction of Forkhill.
"While the Mercedes is turning into the carpark, Mark’s car can be seen approaching the same crossroads. He’s driving a black Volkswagen Golf, and is travelling from the direction of Meigh, heading towards Newry.
“He stops off in Newry city centre, before heading home to Ardcarn Park. And I believe that, when he reaches Ardcarn, the gunmen were already there and waiting.”
Detective Chief Inspector Kelly added: “I am appealing to anyone with information, or who may have captured dash cam footage, to come forward. I understand that people may be afraid to speak up, but please be assured that information can be given to Crimestoppers with total anonymity."
Mark Lovell's wife added: "We want to take this opportunity to make a heartfelt plea to anyone with information to come forward, to clear their conscience, and bring these evil killers to justice – not only for Mark’s family and friends, but for the good of everyone in the area."
Eileen Hughes said Mark was his elderly mother’s sole carer and added that "since his murder, she has been in hospital, broken-hearted and remains there still today."
Anyone with information can Contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
