Pensioner shot five times after masked men broke into his home

By Cate McCurry (PA)

A pensioner was shot five times in the arms and legs after masked men broke into his home in Coleraine, the PSNI said.

Police said they received a report of a shooting incident on Thursday evening.

A number of men wearing balaclavas broke into a house in the Ballgallin Park area of the town shortly before 8pm and assaulted the man aged in his 70s.

In a statement, a spokesman for the PSNI warned against “vigilantism”.

“When the man was taken to hospital for treatment, it was established that he had been shot five times in the arm and legs. He had also sustained injuries to his head and torso.

“At this time, the injuries he received are thankfully not thought to be life-threatening.

“It’s absolutely appalling that an elderly person should be attacked in their own home in this way. There is no place in our society for vigilantism and we are fortunate that the outcome was not much more serious.

“Our inquiries are at an early stage and we would appeal for anyone with information in relation to this incident to contact us.

“If you saw or heard anything suspicious, or have CCTV or other footage which could assist our investigation, please call our detectives who can be contacted on 101.”

MLA for the area Cara Hunter said she was “deeply disturbed” by the incident.

“Such senseless, savage violence should play no part in our society and this shooting has both shocked the local community and left people fearful,” the SDLP East Londonderry representative said.

“My thoughts today are with the victim and his family and I wish him a full and speedy recovery. Those responsible must be held to account and this dangerous weapon seized, and I urge anyone with information to come forward to the PSNI.”

Independent MLA Claire Sugden also condemned the attackers.

“I am horrified to hear of the attack against a man in his 70s last night in the Ballygallin Park area of Coleraine,” she said.

“This is an area where families and older people live, they should not be feeling scared in their own homes due to senseless violence, which has no place in Northern Ireland today. I hope those who are responsible will face justice.”

Alliance Party councillor Yvonne Boyle expressed her shock.

“This attack was sickening and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” she said.

“The local community is in complete shock following this incident. Those who carried it out do not represent anyone except themselves and their violence is not wanted in Coleraine or anywhere else.

“My thoughts are with the man attacked and I hope he is able to make a full recovery. I urge anyone with information on this incident to contact police with it immediately.”