Many ‘ambivalent’ to punishment attacks’
By Seamus McKinney
Irish News
30/06/09
A community worker says many people are still ambivalent about paramilitary-style attacks following the shooting of a 26-year-old man in Derry.
Derry community worker Tommy McCourt was speaking after the man was shot three times at his home in the city’s Rosemount area.
The victim suffered two gunshot wounds to his leg and one to his other foot when a masked man fire through the door of his home at Florence Avenue.
Police are still trying to establish a motive for the attack which took place shortly before midnight on Sunday. It is understood the victim’s injuries are not life-threatening.
Mr McCourt, of Rosemount resource centre, said that most people accepted that in a normal society any alleged problems should be left to the justice system.
“But it is a reality that a lot of people still have an ambivalent attitude to such attacks,” he said.
Criminal justice minister Paul Goggins – who was in the city yesterday to open new legal offices – said he “regretted” news of the shooting. He said there was no place in a civilised society for such actions.
SDLP leader and Derry MP, Mark Durkan said: “We had all hoped that this type of attack had been consigned to history.
“I urge anyone with information about this attack to immediately contact the PSNI.”
Sinn Fein councillor, Maeve McLaughlin said: “It is very worrying that this shooting incident occurred when young children were present in the house. I have visited the home this morning and the family are very angry and upset.
“The people who carried out this attack must inform the community why it was carried out and who they represent.”
'So venceremos, beidh bua againn eigin lá eigin. Sealadaigh abú.'
--Bobby Sands