Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
School horror
Detective says getaway vehicle information key
Each and every day throughout this horrible period of time, I wake up thanking my lucky stars. Not because I survived Covid relatively untouched, although of course I’m grateful for that, but that my boys are far too old to require homeschooling. Phew!
After reading my fellow columnist Polly Hudson’s thoughts/pleas re the horror of being a mum teacher, I know that if I’d been subjected to that particular dread, I’d be typing this from distant shores, in possession of a one-way ticket, by now!
Feeling your pain Polly…
Better
Man, the title of an upcoming film chronicling
Robbie Williams’ life story is due to start shooting in the summer. The lead is yet to be cast, but rumours are that Jamie Dornan’s very much in the frame. Good choice. But for me, the brilliant James Mcavoy’s the man for the job. He’s a master of playing conflicted characters.
POLICE hunting a gang who shot a man are trying to trace the movements of the getaway car.
Detectives are trying to piece together the movements of the 2004 VW Passat, registration FHZ 3287.
It was found burnt out at Fortwilliam Golf Club soon after a man was shot and seriously wounded in Hopewell Crescent, North Belfast, on Sunday night.
The 29-year-old, who is in a critical condition, was not the intended target. Police are treating the shooting as attempted murder.
Det Chief Inspector Natalie Mcnally said: “This was a brutal attempt to kill. The young man is incredibly lucky to be alive. A firearm being discharged in such a heavily populated, residential area could have had even more catastrophic consequences. While we are keeping an open mind regarding the circumstances and motives behind this incident, an investigation is ongoing and we are following a number of lines of enquiry.
“We are currently reviewing all available CCTV footage and are thankful to those who have already come forward.
“We are making a specific appeal to anyone with information about the car in which those involved made their escape. It was fitted with distinctive alloy wheels, may have left the area of the shooting at speed on Sunday at 11.15pm. It is believed it was abandoned and burnt out in Fortwilliam area.
“The car has been recovered and is being forensically examined. We are asking anyone with information on the movement of this vehicle, particularly in the weeks leading to the attack, to come forward.
“The smallest piece of information could be vital. The criminals involved in this attempted murder are dangerous and have little regard for life or the community. They must be identified.”
DCI Mcnally added witnesses can anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppersuk.org.
Videos purportedly linked to the shooting have been widely circulated. One shows what is believed to be the getaway car leaving the scene after six or seven loud bangs are heard.
Another shows a man examining bullet holes in a property where house where the attack occurred.
Criminals involved had little regard for life DCI NATALIE MCNALLY YESTERDAY