18-year-old man from County Antrim was shot once in each arm and leg

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A teenager is recovering in hospital after being shot four times in County Antrim.

The 18-year-old man was shot in each arm and leg in the early hours of Sunday, in what police have described as a paramilitary-style attack.

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening at this stage.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the “brutal” attack took place at a house in the Moneycannon Road area of Ballymoney.

Insp Vince Redmond of the PSNI said the man is being treated in hospital for his injuries.

“We received a report that an 18-year-old man had been shot four times, once in each arm and leg, at around 3.30am this morning by unknown intruders,” he said.

Redmond urged anyone with information about the attack to contact police.

“Our inquiries are at a very early stage into what was a brutal attack on a young man in his home by dangerous and violent individuals, and I would ask anyone with any information which could assist us to apprehend those responsible to contact detectives at Coleraine on 101 quoting reference number 324 23/09/18,” he said.

The North Antrim Traditional Unionist Voice MLA, Jim Allister, condemned the attack.

“What we saw in last night’s vicious attack in Ballymoney was the real and brutal face of paramilitarism,” he said.

“Paramilitaries who think and act above the law must be brought to book for such excesses. There should be no room in our society for self-appointed enforcers and their weapons of death and destruction.”

The Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson said: “There can be no acceptance for such attacks. Paramilitary assaults and coercive control must always be challenged.

“Those with knowledge behind this and other similar brutal and vile attacks need to come forward and provide information to the police. This scourge on our society must be addressed. Far too often, those responsible for such attacks escape justice and there is a sense of impunity to their actions.”