PSNI appeal for information after ‘attempted murder’ of woman (61) left fighting for her life after being shot in head - PSNI say three or more men responsible for attack and numerous weapons used - woman named locally as Sally Cummins

The woman who was shot in her Coleraine home last night has been named locally.
06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Police remain at the scene of an overnight shooting in Coleraine, a woman is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the back of the head.Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Police remain at the scene of an overnight shooting in Coleraine, a woman is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the back of the head.Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia
06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Police remain at the scene of an overnight shooting in Coleraine, a woman is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the back of the head.Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

This evening Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Criminal Investigations and Serious Crime Branches have issued an updated statement saying they are continuing to investigate the shooting of a woman in her house in Coleraine last night.

It says that shortly before midnight a number of shots were fired at the front and rear of a property on the Bushmills Road where “the 61 year old woman inside the house was struck in the head by one of the bullets”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“She remains in hospital fighting for her life and is described as being in a critical condition,” it adds.

Appealing for witnesses, detective Chief Inspector Dunny McCubbin, from Criminal Investigations Branch said: “The investigation is at an early stage and we are working to establish a motive for this vile attack and to identify those responsible. Let’s be clear this is attempted murder and this local woman is now fighting for her life.

“Shortly before midnight police received reports of a number of shots being fired in this area and subsequently discovered a woman lying unconscious inside her Bushmills Road home – a place where she should have been safe.

“The gunmen fired multiple shots at the front and back of the house and at least one of these bullets struck the victim’s head.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“They fired through numerous windows indiscriminately not knowing where the lethal bullets would end up. This clearly highlights the blatant disregard these criminal gangs have for their own community.

06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Police remain at the scene of an overnight shooting in Coleraine, a woman is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the back of the head.Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Police remain at the scene of an overnight shooting in Coleraine, a woman is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the back of the head.Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia
06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Police remain at the scene of an overnight shooting in Coleraine, a woman is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the back of the head.Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

“I believe that three or more men were responsible for this callous attack and also that there may be two different types of weapons used.

“I am today appealing to local people to bring information to the police in order to stop them from causing further harm in this community.

“I am keen to hear from anyone who saw a group of men, wearing hooded tops and light coloured clothes, who were seen shortly before the attempted murder running across Bushmills Road from a laneway leading from Millburn.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Three men were then seen walking and running up a lane behind the Bushmills Road house.

06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Police remain at the scene of an overnight shooting in Coleraine, a woman is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the back of the head.Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Police remain at the scene of an overnight shooting in Coleraine, a woman is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the back of the head.Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia
06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Police remain at the scene of an overnight shooting in Coleraine, a woman is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the back of the head.Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

“I would also like to hear from anyone who saw a light, possibly grey, coloured saloon car with a dark sunroof in the vicinity.

“Anyone who was in the area last night and who noticed anything that could assist the investigation, or anyone with any other information is asked to contact CID in Coleraine by calling 101, quoting reference 2174 05/10/20.

“I would appeal for support from the public in helping to bring these violent men to justice by bringing us information which we can turn into evidence. You can do this online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Earlier a spokesman for Belfast Trust confirmed she remains in a critical condition in the Royal Victoria Hospital.

06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..PSNI at the scene of a shooting on the Bushmills Road in Coleraine Co Londonderry. It is believed a house was attacked and a woman was hit on the back of the head by a bullet during gunfire. Picture Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..PSNI at the scene of a shooting on the Bushmills Road in Coleraine Co Londonderry. It is believed a house was attacked and a woman was hit on the back of the head by a bullet during gunfire. Picture Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia
06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..PSNI at the scene of a shooting on the Bushmills Road in Coleraine Co Londonderry. It is believed a house was attacked and a woman was hit on the back of the head by a bullet during gunfire. Picture Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

This afternoon DUP MP for East Londonderry Gregory Campbell said: “There has to be total condemnation when a person ends up in a critical condition in hospital after their house is attacked with gunfire.

“We have all seen in the past where there has been gun attacks on homes and people saying how it could have been much more serious than a broken window - but on this occasion the more serious has actually occurred and someone is fighting for their lives.

“I would appeal for anyone with any information on the attack or on incidents leading up to the attack, to contact the PSNI.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald also condemned those responsible for the gun attack.

“I condemn those responsible for a gun attack at a house in the Bushmills Road area of Coleraine which has left a woman in her 60s in a critical condition in hospital,” she said.

“No one wants to see reckless and very dangerous incidents like this in Coleraine.

06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Police remain at the scene of an overnight shooting in Coleraine, a woman is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the back of the head.Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Police remain at the scene of an overnight shooting in Coleraine, a woman is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the back of the head.Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia
06/10/20 MCAULEY MULTIMEDIA..Police remain at the scene of an overnight shooting in Coleraine, a woman is in a critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the back of the head.Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

“I have spoken to the PSNI about this incident this morning.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Those responsible have nothing to offer society and need to be taken off the streets and anyone with information on what happened should bring it forward to the PSNI.”

DUP Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Mark Fielding said: “This should not have happened and I unreservedly condemn it.

“No-one should resort to guns in the community.

“I would appeal to anyone who saw anything last night to please contact the police and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Irish and UK news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit www.newsletter.co.uk now to sign up.Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you,

Alistair Bushe