There has been widespread condemnation of the kneecapping of a 79-year-old man in a nationalist area of north Belfast. The victim was shot in both knees and ankles by a group of men who burst into his home, tied him up and beat him about the head.
The men forced their way into his flat at Alamein House in the New Lodge area on Thursday night. No organisation has claimed responsibility for the attack but local people believed it was the work of the IRA. The Alliance Party also said it was obvious the Provisionals were responsible and had broken their ceasefire.
The man is described as "stable" in hospital. The anti-paramilitary group, Families Against Intimidation and Terror, said it believed he was the oldest victim of a paramilitary-style shooting.
FAIT spokesman Mr Glyn Roberts said: "How could anyone sink so low as to tie up, beat, and then shoot a 79-year-old man? The people behind this attack are utter barbarians who deserve the absolute contempt of all. This attack has to be one of the most evil yet.
"Are pensioners now legitimate targets for the paramilitaries? Until the police investigation is concluded, no further paramilitary prisoners should be given early release."
Mr Gerry Adams said he did not know who was responsible for the attack and whether it was a "domestic dispute" or some other sort of incident. If it was a "punishment" attack, it was wrong, he said and he appealed for an end to such assaults.
Sinn Fein councillor Mr Gerard Brophy described the attack as wrong["] . "Sinn Fein's position is clear - we are opposed to all forms of punishment attacks. Sinn Fein representatives and activists are involved in a number of projects and initiatives aimed at bringing an end to all of these type of attacks." Neighbours of the man said they had no idea why he was targeted and expressed shock about the attack. They said he was carried from his flat by paramedics in a state of deep distress.
Local SDLP councillor Mr Martin Morgan said there could be no excuses for the assault: "The men who carried this out are not the heroes of the New Lodge, they are cowards." He called on those responsible to "stop your attacks and reflect on the suffering you inflict on our community".
The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, said she was appalled by the assault of a defenceless pensioner. "It is beyond comprehension to understand how those involved believe their actions to be justified. They are cowards and deserve the community's utmost contempt."
RUC sources said they were puzzled by the attack. Describing the victim's treatment as torture, Chief Insp Mervyn Patton appealed to the public for information to bring the perpetrators to justice. "We are horrified at the injuries inflicted on this elderly man. It was nothing short of torture and the thugs who brutalised him must be caught."
Alliance president Dr Phillip McGarry said the Belfast Agreement made it clear there had to be an "unequivocal ceasefire" if prisoners were to be released early. "It is time for Sinn Fein to decide - once and for all - whether they are committed to democracy or violence." The Workers' Party said the shooting was an "act of gross barbarity carried out by thugs".
The attack was one of two kneecappings on Thursday night. A 20-year-old man was shot in both legs in an attack in the Twinbrook Estate in west Belfast.