Northern Ireland

Man shot in leg in 'shooting by appointment' in west Belfast

The scene of a paramilitary-style shooting in the Hazelwood Avenue area of Poleglass, west Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann
The scene of a paramilitary-style shooting in the Hazelwood Avenue area of Poleglass, west Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann The scene of a paramilitary-style shooting in the Hazelwood Avenue area of Poleglass, west Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann

A man in his thirties was shot in the leg "by appointment" in a paramilitary-style attack in west Belfast.

It happened in the Hazelwood Avenue area of Poleglass on Tuesday night.

Police said they believed the victim was ordered to attend the location to be shot.

They condemned the attack as "totally barbaric" and appealed for information.

Officers received a report at about 10.30pm from the ambulance service that a man had been shot in the leg.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment.

Detective Sergeant Eric Fairfield said: "We believe at this time that the shooting was by appointment and that the man had been ordered to attend this location to be shot.

"This is totally barbaric and must stop. No-one deserves to have this happen to them and there is absolutely no justification for an attack like this in our communities.

"Our enquiries are at an early stage, however, we are treating this as a paramilitary-style attack and I want to appeal to anyone who has information which may assist our investigation to pick up the phone and tell us what you know."

He urged anyone with information to phone detectives on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Sinn Féin West Belfast MP Paul Maskey also condemned the shooting.

"I would appeal for calm at this time in the area and stress that anybody with any information about this horrific incident should bring it immediately to the PSNI," he said.

"Actions like this have no place in our community and I repeat my condemnation of those involved.

"At a time when all frontline statutory agencies and indeed communities are doing what they can to fight against Covid-19 this just adds to the suffering unfortunately being experienced by local people at this time."