This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Police have made a direct appeal for the person who shot a pensioner with a crossbow in north Wales last week to come forward.

Gerald Corrigan, 74, remains in a critical condition after he was struck as he adjusted a satellite dish at his “extremely remote” property on the outskirts of Holyhead shortly before 12.35am on Friday.

He was rushed to hospital in Bangor before being taken to the Royal Stoke university hospital in Stoke-on-Trent.

DCI Brian Kearney, the senior investigating officer, said Corrigan’s family remained “deeply traumatised”.

He said: “I am appealing to the person who discharged this weapon to come forward. This is an impartial search for the truth and I have no doubt that any person who discharged such a weapon accidentally at a human being would be significantly traumatised. You will be treated professionally by myself and my team of officers.”

One line of inquiry is that Corrigan may have been accidentally shot by a lamper – rogue night-time hunters who use bright lights to target animals.

Kearney said: “Our community and the victim’s family want you to come forward of your own free will and do the decent thing to help them understand what happened.”

He urged members of the public to contact police with information about anyone who owns a crossbow and was on the Isle of Anglesey on 18 and 19 April, and also asked businesses selling crossbows and accessories on Anglesey and in North Gwynedd to get in touch.

“Any information provided will be treated confidentially and will assist us greatly in potentially eliminating individuals from this enquiry at an early stage,” he said.

Kearney added: “Our thoughts continue to be with Gerald’s family and friends. The family are being supported by specially trained officers and remain deeply traumatised.”

Corrigan worked as a lecturer in photography and video in Lancashire before retiring to Anglesey more than 20 years ago.

On Saturday police said they were also keen to hear from anyone involved in lamping, hunting or pest control in the South Stack area of Holyhead.