People still '˜coming to terms' with daylight shooting in quiet Cookstown cul-de-sac

Local SDLP councillor, Tony Quinn, who lives near the house where the attack took place said “people are still coming to terms with it - in broad daylight in a quiet cul-de-sac”.

Keen to reassure locals, he said: “I was around speaking to a few residents down in Drumcree. People were concerned.”

This latest shooting comes just weeks after the Mail reported a further five shootings in the last few months, asking whether Mid Ulster is in the grip of a gang war.

Cllr Quinn said that not only did the latest attack worry locals, but also caused disruption to road users as the Drum Road was cordoned off at both ends to stop traffic into Drumcree from around 6pm until early this morning.

“The whole thing was sealed off by six o’clock yesterday,” he added.

“The PSNI helicopter was hovering around as well. It was a particularly tough time for everybody - that shooting has to be condemned unreservedly.

“Whenever people were having a sunny Sunday afternoon, particularly in an area like Drumcree with by and large a middle-aged and elderly population.

“Hopefully the PSNI can apprehend the culprits and bring them before the courts.”

Mid Ulster MLA Sandra Overend has also hit out at the attack.

She said: “I totally condemn the shooting that occurred on Sunday evening in Cookstown.

“Such a horrific incident has no place in our society and should be condemned by any right thinking individual.

“There will be shock in the local community especially since this happened in broad daylight late on a sunny Sunday afternoon, and many questions surrounding this incident remain outstanding.

“I have been talking to the PSNI with regard to this incident and am assured of their commitment to investigating the matter urgently and to this end I would appeal to anyone who has information that might help with the investigation to contact the PSNI as soon as possible.”