Two men in hospital after separate shooting incidents in west Belfast and Newtownards

Two men have been shot in the legs in separate incidents in Northern Ireland.

A man in his 30s has been shot in the leg in Newtownards on Wednesday evening.

It happened in the Upper Movilla Street area shortly after 9:30pm.

Detective Sergeant Westbury said the attack was carried out by two men who told the victim to "lie down on his front, with his face to the ground". He was then shot once through his right calf.

"The injuries inflicted on the victim are a stark violation of his basic human rights," said DS Westbury.

"There is no justification for this type of violence. Attacks like these not only place the victim at risk, but also the local community."

Meanwhile in west Belfast, a man in his 20s was shot three times in his legs shortly after 9pm.

It happened in the Divismore Crescent area.

West Belfast Neighbourhood Inspector Róisín Brown said: "Although not believed to be life threatening, the injuries sustained in this barbaric act will have significant impact on the victim and he will undoubtedly live with the trauma of what has happened to him."Everyone has the right to live their life free from the threat of violence and this brutal attack by people who violate the human rights of others must be universally condemned."We live in a democratic society where there is no justification for this. Those responsible brutalise their own communities and control others through intimidation and violence."

Both men were taken to hospital for treatment.

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