Man arrested as part of dissident ‘punishment’ shootings probe

A MAN has been arrested in Londonderry by police investigating dissident republican ‘punishment’ shootings.

There have been four shootings in the city since January.

Detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit, with support from local district police officers, conducted a search in the Creggan area yesterday.

They arrested a man as “part of an ongoing investigation into violent dissident republican activity”.

Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray, Head of Serious Crime Branch, said: “Today’s arrest of a 30-year-old man under the Terrorism Act is in relation to our ongoing enquiry into a number of violent gun attacks on members of the Derry/ Londonderry community over recent months.

“A number of electronic items have been seized and searches of land and outbuildings are also currently under way.”

On January 6 a man was driven to a wooded area in the Creggan and shot in both legs.

Two days later a second victim was targeted in the same area, sustaining a wound above the knee.

On February 6 another two men were subjected to similar attacks in a Creggan alleyway. One was shot in the thigh and shin, and was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Mr Murray added: “Despite significant progress against the New IRA, we have recently seen them once again turn their guns on the communities where they live, mutilating a number of men, particularly in the North West.

“As well as causing brutal injuries to the victims they have put the NHS under increasing pressure during the pandemic which is beyond reckless.

“I would ask that anyone with information on their activities, especially the location of the guns and explosives which they often leave in public areas, to tell the police.”

The man, who was arrested under the Terrorism Act, was taken to Musgrave Police Station for questioning by detectives.