Northern Ireland

Man in critical condition after second stabbing in Lurgan estate

A man in his twenties is critically ill after he was stabbed in Lurgan, Co Armagh
A man in his twenties is critically ill after he was stabbed in Lurgan, Co Armagh A man in his twenties is critically ill after he was stabbed in Lurgan, Co Armagh

A MAN in his twenties is in a critical condition in hospital after he was stabbed in Lurgan.

He was the second person to be stabbed in a Co Armagh housing estate in the space of just three days.

He was attacked around 1.15am yesterday at Dean's Walk in the Shankill area of Lurgan.

The PSNI are investigating to see if there is a link between this incident and another on Friday night when a 15-year-old girl was stabbed in the neck.

Yesterday, a 14-year-old girl was remanded in custody after appearing in court in Lisburn charged with grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the teenager assault.

The court was told it was a pre-arranged fight between the two girls.

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly said residents in the area were shocked by the latest incident.

She said: "People have got up on Monday morning and walked out their front door to find blood everywhere on the street.

"This is a very quiet street with people who have lived here for generations."

The Policing Board member said she has preciously raised the threat of knife crime with the Chief Constable.

She said: This serious escalation in knife crimes in the area is a cause for real concern and I know that people here are afraid.

“I would appeal to everyone in the area to remain calm. We need to avoid a spiral of violent crime that makes this situation worse.

“There is no excuse for carrying a knife or blade in public. Not only is it a criminal offence, it increases the carrier’s risk of becoming the victim of knife crime."

Sinn Féin Lurgan Councillor Liam Mackle also expressed his shock.

He said: “The Lurgan community woke up to the shocking news of a second stabbing in Lurgan over the Easter holidays.

“Knife crime has the potential to kill or cause serious injury as we have so tragically witnessed in recent days.

“We must redouble our efforts to remove knives from our streets."

Police have appealed to anyone with information to contact them.