Lurgan Shooting Was 'Revenge' Attack

The police are seeking help from the public as they probe a paramilitary-style shooting in the Kilwilkie area of Lurgan last night.

Alleged by a Sinn Féin MLA to have been in response to a previous fight taking place, it happened at 7pm on Monday and saw three men target a house at Kilwilkie Road, shooting a man in the leg and assaulting him with a bat.

The man, who is aged in his 20s, has been taken to hospital where his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd, (pictured) said: "This young man was shot because a so-called dissident republican was in yet another fight, and the consequence of that is three masked men burst into a family home and shoot a young man.

"This shooting was about intimidation, revenge and an attempt to strike fear into the community in Kilwilke."

Meanwhile, SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has also quickly condemned the incident: "Three masked men burst into the young man's home in Kilwilkie Road, beat him with a bat and shot him in the leg.

"It is now clear that dissidents are engaged in a concerted effort to regain the sort of control that the 'Provos' once exercised in working-class nationalist areas.

"It is vitally important that no one in what are often hard-pressed areas should provide even a shadow of justification for activities like these," she continued, noting there is "no form of anti-social behaviour that excuses it" and said "this is not the way to deal with crime".

"In fact it can only create a vacuum in which crime can flourish. We have a fully accountable police service to deal with criminals and they need our help in dealing with the criminals who carried out this shooting tonight," she insisted.

Police have asked for any witnesses to call 0845 600 8000.

(BMcC/GK)