25/04/2005

Police seize rifles in playground shooting investigation

A number of legally held rifles have been seized by police as they continue to investigate the circumstances behind the shooting of a five-year-old boy in Co Fermanagh on Friday.

Darragh Summers was in the playground at Mullinaskea Primary School, which is situated between Enniskillen and Tempo, with around 180 other pupils when he was struck in the head with what is believed to have been a stray bullet.

The incident, which occurred at around 1.50pm, has left Darragh critically ill in hospital with serious head injuries.

He was initially taken to the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen before being transferred to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children to receive specialist treatment for his injuries.

Education Minister, Barry Gardiner, said he was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the news and appealed for anyone with information to contact police."

“Right now, our thoughts and prayers remain with Darragh and the entire family at this distressing time," Mr Gardiner said.

Earlier detectives had appealed for information from anyone in the area who owns a rifle or from anyone who was shooting in the vicinity to contact them.

Police have also appealed for information about two cars seen near the school, a people carrier spotted on Friday and a silver Ford Mondeo seen last Wednesday.

(MB/SP)

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