A man has been shot and another injured during a "reckless series of events" that occurred in south Armagh on Tuesday night.

Police said a group of up to four men attacked a park vehicle in Forkhill, leaving the male occupant with head injuries.

One of the suspects, aged 37, suffered a gunshot wound to his stomach and was left outside Daisy Hill Hospital shortly after the incident.

The attack took place in Park Urney at around 6.20pm last night, 15 October.

When the assailants set upon the vehicle, the 54-year-old man inside managed to get out but was assaulted when he attempted to flee the scene.

Detective Inspector Handley explained: "We believe he may have been struck on the head with a firearm, and subsequently sustained minor cuts to his head. As he continued to run away, he was chased by his attackers. One of the suspects, aged 37, is reported to have fallen and sustained a gunshot wound to his stomach.

"At around 6:31pm, it was reported this injured male who sustained a gunshot wound was driven to Daisy Hill Hospital in a blue Honda Accord where he was left outside before the vehicle sped off."

Reports emerged at around 8.20pm that the vehicle was burnt out in Newry's Mourne View Park.

Both men were treated in hospital, with the victim later released. The man who sustained a gunshot wound underwent surgery and remains in hospital where his condition is described as "critical but stable".

Inspector Handley condemned the incident as a "reckless series of events" that endangered the lives of those in the local community.

He said: "It's only by sheer luck that we are not dealing with a tragic situation today.

"Two men ended up in hospital, however, anyone who was in the vicinity last night could well have been caught up in this and injured."

Detectives are working to establish a motive for the attack and have issued a number of appeals for information.

"Were you in Park Urney in Forkhill last night between 6pm and 6:30pm? Did you see a Blue Honda Accord in the Park Urney area of Forkhill, or in the Hospital Road area in Newry around 6:30pm, or did you capture this vehicle on your dash cam? Did you see what occurred?

"Were you at Daisy Hill Hospital last night around 6:30pm? Did you see anything out of the ordinary, in particular a Blue Honda Accord in the Accident & Emergency area and, finally, were you in the Mourne View Park area of Newry around 8:15pm where a Blue Honda Accord was found burnt out? Did you see any suspicious activity, including vehicles or persons?"

Any members of the public who believe they witnessed anything relevant are urged to contact detectives at Ardmore using non-emergency line 101, quoting reference number 1628 of 15/10/19.

Details can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.



(JG/CM)