IRA blamed for gun attack in Co Tyrone

The IRA was today accused of shooting a man believed to have survived at least one other attempt on his life.

The IRA was today accused of shooting a man believed to have survived at least one other attempt on his life.

The victim was hit in the shoulder when up to nine shots were fired outside a house at Coalisland, near Dungannon, Co Tyrone, last night.

Neighbours claimed he had been living under threat after two former friends, allegedly involved in drugs, were shot dead in separate attacks some time ago.

His wife drove him to Dungannon RUC station where he was given first aid before being taken by ambulance to a hospital in Belfast. His condition was described as "stable".

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Dungannon SDLP councillor Mr Vincent Currie said the IRA was responsible for last night's attack - and for another one a week ago, in which a man was shot in both feet in neighbouring Castlecaufield.

Mr Currie said: "They were acting as judge, jury and clearly in this case intended to be executioner as well. Anybody who lives in this area would be 100% sure of who was responsible for what happened".

"Sinn Féin have been telling us the IRA guns are silent but this is not the case. They are just as capable now as inflicting the same injuries as they were when the ceasefire was called."

In north Belfast today, army explosives experts were called to defuse a pipe bomb left at a Catholic school in the Ballysillan area.

It is close to a Catholic primary school where children have been at the centre of a tense row between parents and Protestant residents, who had blocked their route before the summer holidays.

The dispute has still be to resolved.

PA