Northern Ireland

Latest Lurgan attack was 'reckless'

Forensic officers carry out a search following a gun attack on a house in Ballynamoney Road area of Lurgan. Picture Mal McCann.
Forensic officers carry out a search following a gun attack on a house in Ballynamoney Road area of Lurgan. Picture Mal McCann. Forensic officers carry out a search following a gun attack on a house in Ballynamoney Road area of Lurgan. Picture Mal McCann.

An increase in violent attacks in Co Armagh represents a "worrying trend" following the latest gun attack on a house in Lurgan.

The house belongs to an elderly couple with a male relative thought to have been the intended target.

All three were at home at the time and said to be shaken but not injured.

Windows were damaged in the incident on Ballynamoney Road, which was reported to police at 12.50am on Monday.

The PSNI said the attack was "completely reckless".

A silver Volvo car that was set alight at Shankill Street in Lurgan a short time later is thought to have been connected to the shooting.

Police are also investigating an arson attack on a grey Audi car at Orient Circle in the town during the early hours of Monday.

It follows on from a number of violent incidents in the town over the last number of weeks with local people saying both loyalist and republican gangs are active in the area.

DUP, MLA Carla Lockhart said it was "a worrying trend" adding that there had been "a number of attacks in the wider Lurgan and Craigavon areas over the past number of weeks".

"I would urge those involved to think about the potential consequences of their actions, not only for the people they deem targets for attack but also themselves if they get caught", she said.

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd said there was "no place for guns on our streets".

"Thankfully on this occasion no has been hurt but given the nature and number of these attacks of late it is only a matter of time before someone is killed", he added.