Man (74) shot

At approximately 8.45pm it was reported that a 74 year old man had been shot. He had been working in a shed at a property in the area when a masked man approached him and fired a shot. The man sustained a gun shot wound to his chest in the incident and was taken to hospital for treatment for his injuries. His condition is described as stable.

Police are treating this incident as attempted murder and are appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident or who saw anyone in the area of Islandboy Road around the time of the incident to contact Detectives at Coleraine Police Station on 0845 600 8000. Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.

SDLP Ballycastle Councillor Donal Cunningham explained that the local community are in deep shocked at the news.

He added: “I was at a meeting when I became aware of the incident, and was shocked to hear what had happened. Where this attack took place is a very quiet, rural isolated area and that is why people are so shocked to hear there has been a shooting.

“No one has the right, or mandate to the take the law into their own hands and to act as judge, jury and executioner. I would urge anyone with information about this attack, which I understand is being treated as attempted murder by police, to contact them immediately.”