Man released over Ballymena shooting
A man arrested by police investigating a shooting incident in Ballymena has been released pending further enquiries.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Three shots were fired at a house in the Rossdale area at around 12.30am on Tuesday morning.
A man and woman who were in the house at the time were not injured.
The man released on Tuesday evening was detained on suspicion of attempted murder.
Ulster Unionist Party Councillor Neil Armstrong said there had been a dispute in the largely unionist area over flags.
"I just think this is truly a despicable act against people who are good hard-working members of society trying to do their best," he said.
"For them to be attacked like this is an absolute and utter shame and it is unforgivable."
This was the second time the property has been targeted after the victims, a couple in their mid-30s involved in community relations, asked for flags to be taken down until the start of July as per an earlier agreement, Mr Armstrong added.
SDLP North Antrim MLA Declan O'Loan also condemned the attack.
"The bully-boys must be resisted. The community must be stand together and help the police to arrest those responsible."
Police patrols in the area have been stepped up after local police commander, Chief Inspector Ryan Henderson, condemned the shooting as totally reckless.
He said: "I utterly condemn those responsible for the shooting incident. It was a totally reckless act and sheer good fortune that no-one was injured."
"I can reassure them and other residents in Rossdale that we are treating this matter very seriously and have already increased neighbourhood patrols in the area," he said.
© UTV News