Coleraine Mayor condemns ‘punishment style’ attacks

A ‘punishment’ style attack on three men at Oakvale Park in the Ballysally area of Coleraine has been condemned by the SDLP Mayor of Coleraine John Dallat.

The incident, in which a 20-year-old man was shot and two other men were injured with an iron bar, took place on June 17 2002.

Mr Dallat said: "I have no doubt that this was the handiwork of loyalist elements who are seeking to control entire areas. Ordinary people want nothing to do with them and deserve the protection of both the police service and the courts."

The 20-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to his ankle in the attack. Another 20 year old sustained bruising to his leg and an injury to his ear after he was struck with an iron bar, while a 30 year old man sustained a broken left arm.

One of the men had been released from custody on bail on the morning of June 17, with a condition that he would not return to the Coleraine area.

Mr Dallat went on to say that while the victims were "known pests" in the area, the last thing the neighbourhood needed was "overgrown bully boys who have fine tuned their own forms of criminality."

Chief Superintendent Richard Russell, PSNI’s District Commander for the area, also condemned those who carried out the shooting. He said: “This was a disgraceful attack. There is no place in a civilised society for gangs of thugs who take the law into their own hands.”

Anyone who can assist police with their enquiries is asked to contact detectives at Coleraine on 7034 4122 or Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.

(GB)