Politicians condemn 'reckless' shooting
Gunmen who wounded four people in an early morning shooting in a seaside town in Northern Ireland carried out a reckless attack with little regard for local people, it was claimed today.
Nationalist SDLP MP Eddie McGrady condemned the shooting in Newcastle, Co Down, which left a man with a gunshot wound to the leg and three other people sustaining superficial injuries when shots were fired at around 3am in Burrendale Park.
Detectives have been trying to trace a Nissan Terrano which was in the area at the time and are anxious to speak to its occupants.
Mr McGrady, in whose constituency the attack took place, said the shooting was a disturbing, irresponsible and brutal act that was not characteristic of the area.
“There can be no justification for the use of a firearm in such a reckless way in a built-up estate with many families sleeping in close proximity to this incident,” the South Down MP said.
“We can only be thankful that this gun was not fired or ricochet in the direction of a bedroom.
“Those responsible for this act must be brought to justice, as they pose a serious threat to this community and others.”
Mr McGrady’s SDLP Assembly colleague, Margaret Ritchie said there could be no motive or justification for the attack.
“People must respect the law of the land and not allow our lives to be dictated by this law of the jungle,” she said.
“This sort of action contrasts with the recreational and holiday events which persist during the summer season in Newcastle when many people visit the area as day trippers or overnight stays to sample the beauty of the Mourne Mountains and the sea.
“I thought that the days of the rule of the gun were long gone. Those responsible want to control people’s lives – they want to act as judge, jury and prosecutor.
“We must not allow them to do this. Anyone with information relating to this attack has a duty to come forward to the local PSNI.”
