Reports Creggan shooting was '˜mistaken identity' - Colr.

Colr. Campbell spoke out in condemnation of the two separate shootings in the city over two days, at the Full Council meeting in the Guildhall on Thursday.

A 23-year-old was shot in the leg at a bookmakers’ shop in the Central Drive area of Creggan on Monday, March 27. Three men later arrested in connection with the investigation have been released unconditionally.

Colr. Campbell said the young man had been playing football in the area prior to the incident.

The Councillor said he had witnessed the aftermath of the attack in person, and that the man’s family had been left traumatised.

He said that information from social media suggested this was a case of mistaken identity. “I think that is an absolute disgrace,” he said.

Speaking about the second shooting of a 48-year-old man in a laneway off Glenowen Park on Wednesday, Colr. Campbell said the victim was an ex-prisoner, “and we’re informed by social media this was a result of a bar room brawl in St Patrick’s Day”.

“This is gangsterism masquerading as Republicanism,” he said.

Also speaking at the meeting, Independent Unionist Councillor Maurice Devenney said:

“These type of attacks must be condemned, no matter who carries them out.”

Colr. Devenney also claimed there were some people who would refuse to condemn such activity.

Mayor of Derry & Strabane Hilary McClintock also condemned the incidents as well as the pipe bomb attack in Strabane.

The 48-year-old victim of the Glenowen attack is understood to be recovering in hospital after receiving treatment for gunshot wounds to both legs.