Widespread condemnation of dissident attacks

DUP election candidate William Humphrey said: “The community must stand against this type of criminality and that also requires strong political leadership from that part of the city.

“It is incumbent upon the representatives who hold sway in the areas such activity is going on to speak out clearly and give their full support to the PSNI as they attempt to bring those responsible to justice.”

UUP west Belfast candidate Fred Rodgers said two gun attacks on young men two nights in a row are “signs of lawlessness, not a civilised society”.

He added: “It is absolutely essential that the entire community gives the PSNI the total support they need in order to deal with paramilitary and criminal gangs and stop them threatening communities.”

SDLP West Belfast candidate Alex Attwood said a 16-year-old boy was shot in the leg on Forest Street, off the Springfield Road, and is now in a stable condition.

“I condemn this latest act of tyranny,” he said. “It confirms the insidious efforts of the few to terrorise the many.

“The attack gives added reason for people to help the PSNI and added reason for the PSNI to escalate their interventions.”

Sinn Fein’s west Belfast candidate Fra McCann also condemned the shooting.

“I would encourage anyone with information to bring it forward to the PSNI,” he said.

People Before Profit west Belfast candidate Gerry Carroll said the majority of people oppose the shootings.

“We absolutely condemn this paramilitary attack on a teenager in West Belfast,” he said. We need to invest in our young people- to provide services and opportunities, not blast them with guns in broad daylight.”