Calls grow for an end to ‘gun rule’ in Craigavon after shots fired at house
COUNCILLORS have demanded an end to the “rule of the gun on the streets” after several shots were fired at a house in Craigavon’s Enniskeen area in the early hours of yesterday.
Police say a man who was in the property was not injured, but was left “badly shaken” by the attack, which occurred at around 1.10am.
Shortly afterwards a Vauxhall Insignia car police believe may have been involved in the shooting was found burnt out in a laneway at Eastway in nearby Lurgan.
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough DUP councillor Robert Smith said he “utterly condemned the use of firearms”, particularly in a built-up area full of young families.
“I am extremely shocked, there is absolutely no justification or reason for this,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“This isn’t the first attack in that area, there have been one or two incidents in the past.
“I would say to the people who have done this to leave the community alone.
“Innocent people could be harmed.
“Society is not a place for firearms.
“This is a close-knit community full of children, it only takes one stray bullet and someone could be killed and that would be on their conscience.” From left: A forensic officer at the scene of the shooting in Craigavon; a car found burnt out in a laneway in the Eastway area of Lurgan, and bullet holes in the back door window of the targeted house in Enniskeen
Ulster Unionist councillor Kenneth Twymble added: “I’m shocked and horrified that something like this could happen.
“This estate would be popular with young families, so it’s quite reckless for someone to come in like this with a firearm.
“It must have been very frightening for the man who was in the house at the time.
“It’s not the sort of thing we
like to see happening here — we don’t want to see people with guns roaming the streets.”
The PSNI said that it would be “inappropriate to comment” on a motive for the attack as the investigation was at an early stage.
It added that “no inference should be drawn from this”.
Detective Inspector Stephen Harvey has appealed for anyone who saw people acting suspiciously, or the dark-coloured Vauxhall Insignia, in the Enniskeen or Eastway areas to contact detectives at Lurgan on the non-emergency number 101, quoting the reference number 77 05/10/17.
Alternatively, he said if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to it anonymously on the number 0800 555 111.