Northern Ireland

Victim shot because family spoke out against drug dealers

Ryan Deehan was shot at his home in Derry's Waterside on Tuesday night. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Ryan Deehan was shot at his home in Derry's Waterside on Tuesday night. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Ryan Deehan was shot at his home in Derry's Waterside on Tuesday night. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

THE brother of a Derry shooting victim has linked the attack to his family’s decision to speak out against drug dealers following the death of their sister.

Ryan Deehan (30) suffered a gunshot wound to the foot in an attack which police believe was an attempted murder.

Mr Deehan was shot at the family home at Margaret Street in Derry’s Waterside on Tuesday night He was in the house along with his 58-year-old father at around 9pm when two masked men forced their way in.

Detective Inspector Michael Winters said: “One of the masked men, armed with what has been described as a handgun, shot at the man aged in his fifties who was in the kitchen. Fortunately he wasn’t physically injured.

“However, as the 30-year-old occupant attempted to flee, he was shot at and sustained an injury to his foot for which he is receiving medical treatment in hospital.”

Mr Deehan’s brother, Gearalt said yesterday his family was targeted for speaking out about his sister Amanda’s death from drugs in January.

The 34-year-old was addicted to prescription drugs. Following her death, the Derry woman’s mother and father, Christine and Gerald spoke out about those peddling prescription drugs.

In August, the Derry woman said her daughter was taking strong “fake” pills.

She said: “These boys are making big bucks out of young ones. I don’t know how they can live with themselves.”

In a post on social media yesterday, the victim’s brother, Gearalt said his family would not stop speaking out against “death dealers”.

He said: “Just letting everyone know my wee brother, Ryan in surgery but he’s going to be OK luckily.

“And this was not a paramilitary attack as people are assuming on Facebook. Ryan wouldn’t harm a fly.”

Mr Deehan said the attackers came to target whoever was in the house on Tuesday night, shooting his brother from behind.

“He was trying to protect his family by running up the stairs to try to protect me and my brother, Eamon.

“Then the vermin pushed my mum to the floor, put a gun to her head and tried shooting my dad. Me and family will never stop speaking out for justice for my sister Amanda so they may bring an army next time.”

Parish priest, Fr Michael Canny condemned the shooting saying it could have resulted in death.

Chairwoman of Derry’s Policing Partnership, Sinn Féin councillor, Sandra Duffy described the attack as “brutal”.

Ms Duffy said: “It is clear that the criminal gangs responsible for this type of brutal assault have absolutely no concern for people living here.”

The attack was also condemned by SDLP councillor Martin Reilly who said such "horrific" attacks could never be justified.

“Our thoughts are with the victim in this case and hopefully he can make a physical and mental recovery from this ordeal,” the councillor said.

In a joint statement, Derry Alliance councillors, Philip McKinney and Rachael Ferguson said people were disgusted that guns had again been brought onto Derry’s streets.

While Tuesday’s attack was the third shooting in Derry within the last fortnight, it is believed there was no paramilitary involvement in the attack.