17/02/2009

Three Held After Belfast Shooting

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward after an overnight shooting attack in west Belfast which has since seen the arrests of three men.

It occurred on the Suffolk Road area at approximately 7.15pm on Monday when a man got out of a black Audi car and fired shots through the living room window of a house. Those inside, a 60-year-old man, a 55-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl escaped injury although both females were treated for the affects of shock.

The car used in the attack was later found burnt out on the Glenside Road.

Soon afterwards, a police spokesperson confirmed that a 20-year-old man and two teenagers, aged 17 and 19, were being questioned about the incident.

Police have appealed for witnesses to contact with information, however, it has since emerged that the PSNI are linking the shooting to a dispute within the Travelling community.

The people in the house that was attacked yesterday have been identified as Bridget Mongan her husband and her 12-year-old granddaughter.

Mrs Mongan said she has been attacked several times since the murder of her son-in-law John Mongan in 2008.

She is also related to several people who have been charged in connection with the killing.

The men, aged 42 and 45, were arrested in Co Fermanagh on suspicion of aiding offenders.

Two men aged 32 and 36 and a 15-year-old boy have already appeared in court charged with Mr Mongan's murder.

Sinn Féin MLA for the area Sue Ramsey, has spoken out against last night's shooting in the Suffolk Road area.

"This shooting was wrong and the continued attacks against Ms Mongan, her family, or indeed any other family in the Travelling community need to stop.

"What we could be dealing with as a result of this attack is the death of a woman or a young girl who were in the house at the time," she said and branded such attacks as "unacceptable".

"I would appeal to members of the Travelling community to stay calm and resolve this dispute through dialogue. There are mechanisms for mediation and facilitation to overcome issues that affect communities.

"I am prepared to meet with the families involved in this dispute in an effort to help bring an end to this feud without further resort of violence."

(BMcC/JM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

10 August 2016
Man Shot In Both Legs In L'Derry
A man in his 30s has been shot several times in the legs in Co L'Derry. The shooting attack happened in the Rinmore Drive area at around 10.30pm on Tuesday, 09 August. The victim was shot in each ankle and once in the thigh. He is currently being treated in hospital, however his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
19 April 2017
Two Men Arrested Over Shooting Attack In L'Derry
Two men have been arrested in connection with a shooting attack in L'Derry. A man was shot in the leg at a premises in Central Drive on 27 March. A 26-year-old and a 49-year-old man were arrested on Wednesday, 19 April. They have been detained and are being questioned by the police.
22 January 2018
Man Seriously Injured In West Belfast Shooting Attack
A 24-year-old man has sustained serious and potentially life-changing injuries after being shot in both knees and ankles in west Belfast. The attack happened at a property in the Whiterock Drive area at around 7.10pm on Friday, 19 January.
02 June 2011
Condemnations Follows Glengormley Shooting
The Mayor of Newtownabbey, Alliance Councillor Billy Webb, has condemned those involved in a shooting in the Mayfield area in which a man was shot in the stomach. The 31-year-old victim has been left in a serious condition in hospital after being shot by two men who entered a house at Mayfield Court, Glengormley, at around 10pm on Wednesday.
20 August 2009
'Dissidents' Behind Derry Shooting
A man is recovering in hospital following a shooting in Derry last night. One local politicians has blamed the attack on dissident republicans. Police said a number of shots were fired through the front window of a house in Hollymount at around 11pm.