‘Brutal’ paramilitary-style shooting of teen condemned

The paramilitary-style shooting of a teenager in Ballymoney has been condemned as “brutal” and “abhorrent”.

The 18-year-old was shot once in each limb at a house on Moneycannon Road in the early hours of Sunday morning.

He is receiving hospital treatment for injuries not believed to be life threatening.

Police investigating the attack have described it as “brutal” and said it was carried out by “dangerous and violent individuals”.

Investigations are at an early stage but it is being treated as a paramilitary-style assault.

Local UUP councillor Darryl Wilson told UTV people in the area are “deeply shocked” by what has happened.

“No-one wants this at all,” he said.

Meanwhile the Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson said “this scourge on our society must be addressed”.

SDLP MLA John Dallat also condemned the attack, while Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan called on the PSNI to bring those responsible to justice.

In a statement, the Ballymoney Churches Forum expressed its “disgust” at the shooting.

“There can be no justification whatsoever for any individual or groups to take upon themselves the right to administer such summary injustice,” it said.

“This is particularly abhorrent when the victim is still only a teenager, and the attack has taken place in his home, which should be for anyone a sanctuary.”

Police asked anyone with information to come forward.