REPUBLICANS have claimed responsibility for shooting a teenager in Co Tyrone.
Liam McElhinney (19) was beaten with a baseball bat and shot in the leg in the Springhill Park area of Strabane last Wednesday.
The victim, who was visiting his grandmother's house at the time, was taken to hospital for treatment.
The PSNI said two masked men entered the house armed with guns and a baseball bat before the victim was attacked.
In a statement the West Tyrone Brigade of the 'IRA' last night said it shot the teenager.
The organisation, who are sometimes referred to as the New IRA, also threatened to "continue to take action".
The Irish News understands that a 9mm handgun was used to shoot Mr McElhinney.
While the New IRA has been active in Strabane in the past it is believed last week's 'punishment'-style attack was the first in the Co Tyrone town in several years.
It is understood that the republican group has recently reorganised in the west Tyrone area.
The victim's grandmother Jessie Powell later said her family has been left traumatised.
"We are going to live in fear now every night," she told the BBC.
She also said that the attackers put a gun to the face of the victim's 11-year-old brother, a claim which republicans have denied.
SDLP Policing Board member Dolores Kelly condemned the shooting, which she described as "reckless".
"There is only one law enforcement agency and that is the PSNI," she said.
"It's barbaric, it's cruel and it has caused physical and psychological harm to this young man that will be with him for the rest of his life."
Ms Kelly added that those behind the attack are "human rights abusers".
