Man charged with attempted murder of west Belfast taxi driver

24-year-old also faces firearms offences after Sean O'Reilly shot in February 2025

By LineZotpaper

Published28 October 2026

Read Time1 min

A 24-year-old man has been charged with the attempted murder of taxi driver Sean O'Reilly, who was shot twice in west Belfast in February 2025.

A 24-year-old man has been charged with the attempted murder of a taxi driver in west Belfast in 2025. Sean O'Reilly was shot twice as he sat inside his car in the Bell Steel Manor area on 23 February.

The man was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday and was also charged with a number of firearms offences. He is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The charge brings a formal legal step in a serious violent crime that targeted a taxi driver in his own vehicle.
It signals police progress in a case that has been open since February 2025.
The court appearance on Thursday will determine bail and the next stage of proceedings.

Background

This is a local criminal case in west Belfast. The shooting took place in the Bell Steel Manor area, and the victim, Sean O'Reilly, was shot twice. The accused was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday and has been charged with attempted murder and firearms offences. No further details about the incident or the accused have been released.

What to Watch

The outcome of the accused's first court appearance at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
Whether further charges are brought or additional arrests are made.
Any updates on the victim's condition or recovery.

Sources

Man charged with attempted murder of taxi driver · BBC Northern Ireland

Checked

7 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedA man was charged with the attempted murder of a west Belfast taxi driver.BBC Northern Ireland: “A 24-year-old man has been charged with the attempted murder of a taxi driver in west Belfast in 2025.”
SupportedThe man is 24 years old.BBC Northern Ireland: “A 24-year-old man has been charged”
SupportedHe also faces firearms offences.BBC Northern Ireland: “The man was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday and was also charged with a number of firearms offences.”
SupportedSean O'Reilly was shot twice in February 2025.BBC Northern Ireland: “Image caption, Sean O'Reilly was shot twice as he sat inside his car in west Belfast in February 2025”
SupportedO'Reilly was shot twice while inside his car in the Bell Steel Manor area on 23 February.BBC Northern Ireland: “Sean O'Reilly was shot twice as he sat inside his car in the Bell Steel Manor area on 23 February.”
SupportedThe man was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday.BBC Northern Ireland: “The man was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday”
SupportedHe is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Thursday.BBC Northern Ireland: “He is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Thursday.”