Northern Ireland

West Belfast shooting a case of 'mistaken identity'

Police have appealed for information following the shooting
Police have appealed for information following the shooting Police have appealed for information following the shooting

A shooting at a house in west Belfast is believed to be a case of mistaken identity, an MP has said.

Police said a man at a property in the St James' Road area heard a loud bang shortly after midnight on Sunday night and later discovered that a living room window had been broken.

"There was also what appeared to be part of a spent cartridge," a spokesman said.

Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey said the shooting came after the distribution of a list of names of people said to be under threat by dissident republicans - but the house targeted appeared to have been a case of "mistaken identity".

He called for the threats issued to be "lifted immediately".

"These people aren't interested in protecting communities, they're only interested in extorting cash," Mr Maskey said.

"The reckless shooting in St James' is yet another example of their callous disregard for the people of this area.

"I called with the victims of last night's attack and they are badly shaken up.

"All the indications are that this was a case of mistaken identity as the house they targeted was close to the home of one of the individuals named on the list.

"The groups carrying out this kind of activity are not republicans. They are extortionists and criminal gangs who should get off the backs of this community, once and for all.

"Anyone with any information on this reckless attack or on the activities of drug dealers should bring it forward to the police."

Police appealed to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity or vehicles in the area to contact detectives.