Man in critical condition after Belfast shooting

A man is in a critical condition after he was shot in the head at a fast food restaurant in Northern Ireland.

The attack took place on the Oldpark Road in north Belfast at about 5.40pm yesterday.

A vehicle matching the description of the suspected getaway car was found on fire a short distance away, according to the PSNI.

Inspector James Murphy said: “A report was made to police at around 5.40pm that a man had received a suspected gunshot wound to his head in the vicinity of the fast food takeaway.

“A blue coloured Vauxhall Astra estate car was seen to make off from the scene and a car matching this description was found on fire a short time later nearby in Torrens Gardens.

“The injured man is currently in hospital being treated for his wounds and has been described as being in a critical condition.

“The full details of this incident have yet to be established and our inquiries are continuing.”

Widespread shock

DUP MP Nigel Dodds described widespread shock in the area.

“Murderous attacks such as this are the last thing we want to see happening on the streets of north Belfast. This incident has been deeply disturbing for the settled community on this part of the Oldpark Road.”

Sinn Féin Stormont assembly member Gerry Kelly condemned the Oldpark shooting and a separate gun attack in north Belfast, where a man was shot in both legs.

“There can be no place for these type of actions in our community,” he said.

“Those responsible for these shootings are criminals and are not representative of the local communities.

“I am calling on those behind these attacks to catch themselves on, listen to the will of the local communities who want to move on and stop these actions immediately.”

SDLP assembly member Alban Maginness said the Oldpark shooting was a savage act of violence.

“The brutal and public nature of this attempted murder is an indication of the barbaric mentality of the individual who carried it out,” he said.

“This kind of criminality has no place in modern society and is completely at odds with the values held by the north Belfast community.”

PA