Shootings in a pandemic branded ‘repugnant’, as fresh appeal for information on Derry attack launched

The escalation of shootings during a pandemic has been branded “repugnant” and unjustifiable by police after a teenager was shot in Derry at the weekend.
Police at Strand Road PSNI Station are appealing for witnesses. (Photo: Google Maps)Police at Strand Road PSNI Station are appealing for witnesses. (Photo: Google Maps)
Police at Strand Road PSNI Station are appealing for witnesses. (Photo: Google Maps)

Detective Sergeant Richard Donnell made the comments as he issued a renewed appeal for information regarding the shooting of the 18-year-old in the Currynierin area on Saturday night.

The youth was shot in the leg in an alleyway in Milldale Crescent before 9:10pm. He has since been released from hospital.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

D/Sgt. Donnell said: “These type of attacks are simply unacceptable and there can never be any justification for them. Carrying out attacks like this during a global health pandemic is particularly repugnant. We know the majority of people are working hard to keep their community safe and to protect the NHS, yet these violent criminals are endangering lives and increasing pressures on our emergency services and frontline workers.”

Sinn Féin Colr. Paul Fleming meanwhile said: “There is no place for guns on our streets and those responsible should get off the backs of the community.

SDLP Colr. Martin Reilly described the shooting as a “brutal act”, while Alliance Colr. Philip McKinney said: “There is no place for these barbaric acts in our society.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information is urged to call 101, quoting reference number 2092 of 27/02/21/02/21.