Victim hits back at RAAD 'simpletons'
A Derry businessman has branded the RAAD vigilantes that shot him as "simpletons".
Speaking for the first time since he was shot three times in the legs as he worked in his city centre shop on January 27, Ray Coyle said he received no warning from the “patriotic thugs” who claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mr Coyle, who was shot for selling so-called ‘legal highs’, hit out at RAAD’s claim that he was warned about peddling such products in his Red Star store at Waterloo Street.
Speaking exclusively to the ‘Journal’, Mr Coyle said he felt it necessary to respond to the fallout from the shooting and the “subsequent justification of the actions carried out by these patriotic thugs”.
He said: “Firstly, their statement that I was repeatedly warned is not true. If I had been, having knowledge of the actions of these vigilantes in the past twelve months - in which they’ve mutilated 12 youngsters from this town, the youngest of whom was a 16 years old schoolboy - I would have heeded that warning and it was the very least I would have expected before being attacked. Furthermore, I would never put myself, my staff or the customers of the shop in danger.
“This gang’s claim that they asked a local community worker with knowledge of drug issues to intervene in the hope that ‘moral thinking would prevail’ is a complete fabrication. I have never been approached by anyone regarding the sale of these items. I find the grandiose, high moral tone of these self serving, self important simpletons sickening.”
And the 52 year-old shop owner pointed out that he at no time “now or in the past traded or sold any items that are illegal”.
“I have been selling these products for more than six years, just like hundreds of other shops across Ireland and the UK, without any problems - and now this.”
Mr Coyle also paid tribute to the ambulance crew and the doctors and nurses in Altnagelvin - “wonderful people” - for the care he received after the shooting.
“I’d also like to thank the people who organised the protest outside the shop, and those who attended - that put this gang of thugs on the defensive, hopefully preventing further attacks.”
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Weather for Derry
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
