Appeal after man shot in legs in west Belfast

A man in his 20s has been shot in the legs in a paramilitary-style punishment shooting.

The man was attacked in an alleyway in the Shaws Road area of west Belfast last night at about 8pm. Police said they received reports a number of shots last night.

He was treated in hospital but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, the PNSI said. Police have appealed for information.

SDLP councillor Tim Attwood condemned the shooting.

“No-one has the right to take the law into their own hands in so-called ‘punishment shootings’ which by this time should be consigned to the past.

“Twenty years on from the first IRA ceasefire this is another sad example of a minority trying to drag us back to the dark days of the past. They will not succeed in undermining the progress society has made.

“The community will resist them and need to again help the police to detect them and see they are brought to justice.”

PA