Teenage girl threatened as father shot in all four limbs

A man had been left with potentially life-changing injuries after being shot in both arms and legs by a gang who also threatened to shoot his teenage daughter, police have said.

The 45-year-old was also beaten with a bat or metal bar in the paramilitary-style attack in the Co Londonderry village of Garvagh on Saturday night.

A number of masked men burst into the man’s home in the Kurin Lane area around 10.30pm and shot him multiple times in his limbs.

PSNI Detective Chief Inspector White said: “The man’s teenage daughter, who was also in the house at the time of the shooting and beating, was threatened to be shot by one of the violent perpetrators before her mobile phone was taken to prevent her calling for help.

“An attempt was also made to set fire to items in the house.

“The injured man is currently in hospital receiving treatment for the gunshot wounds and head injuries from being beaten.

“This a sickeningly vicious shooting and beating which has left this man with serious and potentially life-changing injuries, and a young girl severely traumatised.

“What sort of men would think it is acceptable to subject a young girl to this level of brutality and violence?

“Every child has the right to feel safe and protected in their own home. How is this poor child going to sleep tonight or in coming nights? What are the long-term effects on her going to be?

“It’s quite obvious the hypocrites who carried out this dreadful attack don’t care at all about the children in their community. I wonder how they would feel if their own child witnessed such a level of violence?

“There is absolutely no justification for an attack like this in our communities and we must all work together to bring those responsible to justice and to stop this from happening to another child.”

Mr White appealed for anyone with information to come forward.