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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Orlaith Clinton

Man in his 20s taken to hospital after Belfast City Cemetery shooting

Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a shooting in West Belfast on Thursday.

A report was made shortly after 10.30pm last night, that two masked men had taken a man into the City Cemetery in the Falls Road area.

The attack victim, aged in his 20s, was then shot in the foot before the suspects, dressed in dark clothing, fled the scene.

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Sergeant McCrum said: "The victim was taken to hospital by our Northern Ireland Ambulance Service colleagues for treatment to his injuries which, thankfully, are not believed to be life-threatening at this time.

"This shooting is a clear violation of the victim’s human rights. Everyone has the right to live their life free from the threat of violence.

"There is no justification for this type of attack. Those responsible place not just the victim at risk, but also the wider community.

"Our investigation has just begun. We are appealing to anyone who was in the area last night who noticed anything suspicious, or who may have dash-cam or mobile footage that could help with our enquiries, to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 2231 of 08/06/23.

"A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.

"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/."

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll has condemned the shooting.

"These vile actions have no place in our society," the West Belfast MLA said.

"Poverty and social deprivation are enough of a blight on working class communities without the added misery of such attacks.

"Those responsible have nothing to offer West Belfast but fear and intimidation. It’s time for them to go."

SDLP councillor Paul Doherty said that the local community is shocked.

Councillor Doherty said: "This shooting was a despicable act and the fact that it took place within the grounds of the City Cemetery has left the local community both shocked and angry.

"There can be no place for shootings anywhere, but the fact that this took place in a cemetery has upset many people in this area who have loved ones buried there.

"The presence of masked men with guns on our streets is extremely sinister and has once again drawn attention to our community for all the wrong reasons. This is a place where good work goes on every single day, where people have each other’s backs and the men who carried out this attack have no support here.

"I hope that the victim of this shooting makes a quick recovery from their injuries and would urge anyone with any information about what happened to come forward to police so that these gunmen can be apprehended and this weapon seized before it causes anymore harm."

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