THE wife of a member of a dissident republican political group has narrowly escaped injury in a gun attack on her home in Dungiven.
Police were called to the incident at Castle Croft Drive in the Co Derry town at around 10.10pm on Sunday evening.
It is understood two women were downstairs in the living room when a single shot was fired at the property, striking the front door.
A car used in the attack was found burning a short distance away.
The Irish Republican National Congress, linked in security assessments to the dissident republican organisation, Arm na Poblachta, the Army of the Republic, say the attack was on one of their members.
The shooting is not thought to have been carried out by a dissident group, but one line of inquiry is that it may be linked to criminal elements in the area.
A spokesperson for IRNC said the bullet "narrowly" missed the wife and daughter of a party member.
"The bullets went through the front door, through the kitchen and into the patio.
"A miracle no one was seriously injured.
"It poses a question what was there cowardly attack about and who is driving it?
"An attack on our members is an attack on us all.
"The IRNC will not be derailed from our objective. Solidarity with our comrade and his family," the spokesperson added.
PSNI Detective Inspector McKenna said: "Thankfully, no one was injured as a result of this reckless attack but, as you can imagine, the occupants of the house have been left badly shaken.
“We are working to establish a motive for this horrific attack, which occurred in a residential area. Anyone could have been caught up in this, which shows the contempt those involved have for the community. It is despicable and has to stop."
A car used in the attack was found on fire at the entrance to Banagher Glen, shortly after the attack The PSNI have also asked anyone who may have witnessed the car being set on fire to contact them.
Politicians from East Derry condemned the attack.
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter said it was a "reckless attack that could have so easily ended in tragedy."
“I urge anyone with any information to contact the PSNI and Crimestoppers.”
Sinn Féin assembly member Caoimhe Archibald also condemned a gun attack saying: "thankfully no one was injured but it must have been a frightening experience for those in the area at the time."
Independent MLA Claire Sugden condemned the shooting saying: “Guns have no place on our streets and I would urge anyone with any information to contact the police".
