Coleraine and north Antrim attacks linked to UDA

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-32064522

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Police believe loyalists linked to the UDA may have been involved in a series of paramilitary attacks in north Antrim including the murder of Brian McIlhagga in Ballymoney in January.

It follows an overnight shooting in Coleraine where a man in his 20s was shot in the arms and legs.

The masked gang, who were armed with handguns, ran after their victim after they initially shot him inside a house.

Police described it as "barbaric" and are treating it as attempted murder.

They said the victim could be left with "life-changing injuries".

The attack happened at Maple Drive at about 04:00 GMT on Thursday.

Two other men, who were in the house at the time, were not injured.

Supt John Magill linked the attack to several other in the area since January:

"A very strong line of inquiry would be people who are associated with the UDA," Supt Magill said.

"From the information I have, I'm satisfied that those involved in this series of attacks are very closely linked to the UDA in north Antrim."

Supt Magill described Thursday morning's attack as "absolutely barbaric".

"You have a man here in his home, he is shot in his house numerous times, he's shot outside his house numerous times," he said.

"The man's actually very lucky to be alive. This was a very, very serious attack using weapons that were absolutely capable of killing that man.

"It's certainly being treated as attempted murder."