Liaison group set up after Derry shooting

Politicians and community leaders are setting up a group to liaise with police in the Waterside area of Derry after the attempted murder of a young man this week.

Darren Thompson, 22, remains critically ill in hospital after he was shot in the head as he walked to work on Wednesday morning.

The attack, which followed a number of other violent incidents in the area, sparked fears that a loyalist feud was developing.

However, Assistant Chief Constable Peter Sheridan has dampened speculation that the Ulster Defence Association and the rival Ulster Volunteer Force are engaged in a shooting war in the city.

“It is our understanding that there is not a feud in the north west sanctioned by paramilitary leaders. It is more personal score-settling by individuals linked to organisations who have access to weapons,” he said.

Two men and a woman remain in custody in connection with the attempted murder.

Democratic Unionist Assembly member William Hay, a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said the new liaison committee would help ease uncertainty and tension in the Waterside area.

“The Waterside is like a ghost town at night at the moment and we need to deal with this situation. Hopefully, the committee can help build more trust within the whole of the Waterside. People are genuinely concerned at what is happening,” he added.