West Belfast paramilitary shootings ‘doubled in year’

The number of paramilitary shootings in the west of the city is causing concern. Credit: UTV

  • UTV's Judith Hill reports on police investigations into shootings in west Belfast

The number of paramilitary-style shootings in west Belfast has more than doubled in the last year, despite falling in the rest of the city.

The figures come as police investigate whether dissident republicans are behind a number of recent gun attacks.

Since April last year, 12 people have been shot in west Belfast.

Most recently, a 26-year-old man was shot in both legs in the Monagh Road area of Turf Lodge on Tuesday night – less than a week after a husband and wife in their 50s were both shot in the legs.

That incident happened at their home in nearby Norglen Parade.

Just days before that, a 21-year-old man was targeted - and back in December, a 16-year-old boy was shot.

As UTV’s Judith Hill reports, police in west Belfast are frustrated by the recent spike in such attacks and at continued community silence.