Alliance Slams 'Severe' Shooting Injuries

The police have appealed for information after a 31-year-old-man was taken to hospital after being shot in the leg in north Belfast.

The shooting happened shortly before 11pm when a number of men went into his house in the Butler Walk area.

The victim is being treated in the Royal Victoria Hospital where his injury has been described as "severe".

Alliance North Belfast representative Cllr Billy Webb has described the shooting in which a man was shot in the leg as a brutal attack.

Cllr Billy Webb said: "This was a brutal and appalling attack. I cannot comprehend what must have been going through the mind of those people who carried out this sickening crime.

"My thoughts are with the victim of this disgusting attack.

"I hope that he is able to make a full recovery from injuries." he said, adding, "I would urge anybody with any information about this shooting to contact the police".

Elsewhere, the Alliance Strangford representative Kieran McCarthy has condemned a paramilitary style attack in Ards in which a young man was beaten up with pickaxe handles by a group of men. The attack happened on Meadow Park on Thursday night.

Kieran McCarthy said: "This was a despicable and horrific attack carried out by a group of thugs who have no respect for the lives for other people. I am sickened by how vicious this attack was.

"If anybody has any information about this attack then they must contact the police," he said.

The PSNI said that the paramilitary-style assault happened in the Meadow Park area of Newtownards shortly after 11.40pm on Thursday.

The 19-year-old victim was taken to hospital with injuries to his head and arms.

The three men who attacked him ran off towards the Fairview Close area after the assault.

Also this week, a 39-year-old man received treatment in hospital following a punishment style beating in the Newtownards road area of east Belfast during the early hours of Thursday.

Shortly after 1am the man answered a knock on his door and three unknown men pushed their way in. They threatened the man with a knife and struck him on the head with a weapon believed to be a pistol.

The PSNI said anyone who noticed any unusual activity in the area or who has any information is asked to contact detectives at Musgrave Street CID on 0845 600 8000.

(BMcC/GK)