Greenock shooting: Seven men found guilty of murdering dad on doorstep

Seven men are each facing a life sentence for the shooting of a father on his doorstep.

Neil Canney was gunned down at his home in Greenock, Inverclyde, on February 28, 2023.

The 37-year-old had gone to his front door thinking a friend was among a group standing outside.

Neil was instead shot as relatives inside cowered for safety.

The gang responsible for the killing were caught following a police investigation.

Jack Benson, 24, Dale Russell, 31, Martin McCusker, 41, Brendan Balloch, 25, Kieran Hendry, 26, and Michael Munro, 27, have now been convicted of murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

They were also found guilty of attempted murder.

Kieran Meechan, 29, had pleaded guilty to the same charge prior to the case starting.

Prosecutors stated it was not known who had pulled the trigger – but that the group had all teamed up in a “criminal plan” to target Neil.

The crew will all learn the minimum they will spend behind bars when they return to the dock in September.

Mum recalls night of shooting

Neil Canney’s mum told the trial how her son had gone to the front door of their house, thinking his friend was one of six individuals outside the property in Greenock.

The 62-year-old had been home with family – including two young children – when she heard “a bang,” quickly followed by another.

After the shooting stopped, Ms Canney opened the door to find her son lying on the hall floor surrounded by blood.

Neil was given CPR at the scene before being taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Evidence

The advocate depute said eight bullets had been fired into the house.

The six on trial had denied being involved, but evidence showed that Benson transported Russell and McCusker in his car from Lanarkshire to take part in the shooting and then help them escape.

It was claimed he had later lied to police in a bid to cover up his involvement in cocaine dealing.

Russell was said to have boasted about what happened. There was further evidence of £40 being received for “a good turn”

A woman told the trial she had asked McCusker following news reports of the murder.

She had then shown him a social media clip of apparent “gunshots” and he was described as “really distressed”.

He was said to have spoken about a firearm and stated he had “held it on the way there” as “they had put it in his hand”.

Another witness recalled McCusker and Russell being in her home in Wishaw, Lanarkshire in the early hours after the shooting.

They were said to be talking loudly with Russell stating he would not be giving McCusker £40 as he “only stood there”.

McCusker later claimed to the woman that they had “broken into a shed”.

Gunshot residue was discovered on items of clothing of a number of the gang – including on designer jackets belonging to Munro and Hendry.

Evidence also helped pin Balloch to being involved despite claims he knew nothing of the plans for a shooting.

‘A shocking and traumatic attack’

Detective chief inspector Graham McCreadie said: “This was a shocking and traumatic attack that took place in the community and many people who knew Mr Canney witnessed the attack.

“I hope that this sentence brings some degree of closure to his family and friends and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.

“Thankfully violent crimes like these in public places are rare. When such incidents take place, we will use all resources necessary to carry out thorough, rigorous inquiries to ensure we track down those responsible to bring them to justice, no matter your part in a crime.

“I would like to thank those members of the public who assisted with our enquiries as well as our dedicated officers who worked tirelessly throughout this investigation.”