Paramilitary-style attacks 'not solution'

A drug addiction group has said paramilitary-style attacks in Northern Ireland will only make the problem of drugs misuse worse.

It follows an appeal by the mother of a drug addict from west Belfast who was shot 13 times by the IRA.

On Tuesday, Bernadette Fegan said the attacks would not help improve his behaviour and appealed for him to be left alone.

Father Sean Cassin, of the Republic of Ireland's National Drug Strategy Team, said round table meetings between community groups and drugs users and their families were the only way to resolve the problem.

Steven Fegan was shot six times in the hands, ankles and elbows last Thursday.

It was the latest in a series of attacks on the 20-year-old from New Barnsley.

His mother said she was not aware of all the activities he had been involved in.

On Tuesday, Mrs Fegan said: "Please give me the chance to see can somebody help me to help Steven."

She said her son was recovering in the Royal Victoria Hospital following the latest attack.