Child escapes injury after gun attack on Newry house

Three people, including a four-year-old child, escaped injury after a gun attack on their home.

At least eight shots were fired at the property and a car during the late night incident in Quayside Close, Newry.

A PSNI spokeswoman said a light coloured Renault car turned into the estate from the Omeath direction at about 10.30pm and pulled up.

“The driver and passenger exited the vehicle and discharged a number of shots into a nearby car and the window and door of a house,” she said.

“The pair then made off in the car in the direction of Omeath.”

It is believed a third person was also present in the car. The PSNI said a 34-year-old man, a 33-year-old woman and the child were in the house at the time but were not injured.

“Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident or observed the car driving to or from Quayside Close to contact them,” she added.

A local politician said those responsible for firing the shots were playing reckless with the safety of the innocent public.

Dominic Bradley, SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA, condemned the incident.

“There is no excuse for firing shots in a residential area by those who think they are above the law,” said Mr Bradley.

“The residents of the area are shocked that such an incident happened in their locality and are quite rightly angry that it has.

“I’m relieved nobody was injured and thankful those inside, which included a small child, escaped without physical harm.”

Mr Bradley called on anybody with information to pass it to the police.

“We cannot have people carrying out drive-by shootings with impunity and need to take them off the streets to face the full rigours of the law,” he added.