Northern Ireland

Man shot in both legs in 'paramilitary-style' attack in Ardoyne

The PSNI have appealed for information
The PSNI have appealed for information The PSNI have appealed for information

A man has been attacked in "a paramilitary-style shooting" in Belfast, police have said.

The man, in his forties, was shot in both legs in Ardoyne in the north of the city.

He has been taken to hospital and his condition is described as stable.

The PSNI have asked anyone with any knowledge of the incident to call 101.

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly condemned the shooting.

The North Belfast MLA said:“As yet no organisation has claimed responsibility. I condemn whoever was involved.

“A number or residents in Ardoyne and wider North Belfast have been shot dead in the recent past by various small armed groups masquerading as protectors.

“The community does not support such actions and it needs to stop. There is no place for guns on our streets.

“Anyone with information on this attack should bring it forward to the police.” 

SDLP MLA Nichola Mallon described the incident as a "brutal attack committed by criminals who need to face justice".

"No-one can be allowed to intimidate this community," she said.

"Those responsible have nothing to offer people here. We're trying to build a better North Belfast and acts like this only make that harder. They have to be faced down.

"I would appeal to anyone with information to bring it forward to police."

Alliance councillor Nuala McAllister said: “It is frightening to hear about more guns on our streets.

“There is no excuse for this sort of action and I condemn it utterly. No matter the situation, guns are never the answer and shooting people is always wrong. People taking the law into their own hands and bringing violence to our streets needs to stop immediately."