Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Teenager shot in both arms and legs in ‘brutal paramilitary-style attack’, Northern Ireland police say

'Unknown intruders' shoot 18-year-old four times

Harry Cockburn
Sunday 23 September 2018 07:18 EDT
Comments
The injured man is recovering in hospital, police said
The injured man is recovering in hospital, police said (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A teenager has been shot in both legs and both arms in a ‘brutal paramilitary-style attack’, police in Northern Ireland’s County Antrim have said.

The 18-year-old is recovering in hospital where his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

The shooting comes amid a surge in paramilitary “punishment” attacks, which have risen to the highest level in four years.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the attack, carried out by “unknown intruders” took place at a house in the Moneycannon Road area of Ballymoney.

PSNI Inspector Vince Redmond said: “We received a report that an 18-year-old man had been shot four times, once in each arm and leg, at around 3.30am this morning by unknown intruders.

"The injured man has since been taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries."

Inspector Redmond urged anyone with information about the attack to contact police.

"Our enquiries are at a very early stage into what was a brutal attack on a young man in his home by dangerous and violent individuals, and I would ask anyone with any information which could assist us to apprehend those responsible to contact detectives at Coleraine on 101 quoting reference number 324 23/09/18," he added.

PSNI figures have revealed soaring numbers of paramilitary-style attacks from both Ulster loyalists and Republican dissidents since 2013.

In 2013 there were 64 such attacks from republican dissidents as well as ongoing loyalist paramilitary violence often directed at their own communities, The Guardian reported earlier this year.

In 2017 the figure rose to 101 shootings and beatings.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in