Attack victim critical of police

Rioting was spread over five days in the area in June 2002

A man who was seriously injured in a gun attack in east Belfast three years ago has called on the police to re-investigate the incident.

The victim is angry no-one has been arrested in connection with the attack.

Community worker James Ferguson was shot in the leg and back while helping residents to safety during rioting in Cluan Place in June 2002.

He criticised the police investigation of the incident at a District Policing Partnership meeting on Monday night.

Mr McCartney said it should have been on a similar scale to the recent investigation into the death of Robert McCartney who was murdered outside a bar in the city centre on 30 January.

"I'll give them their dues - they've worked very hard in trying to bring to justice the killers of Robert McCartney from the Short Strand," he said.

"I've had one interview with them in over two years, so where's the justice.

"I would like them to reopen the investigation and bring the people to task who committed this crime."

Community

Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Rodgers, a policing board member, said many in the community felt the same way.

"This is a festering sore, and until it's resolved, I feel that relationships between the police and the general public are going to worsen," he added.

Police said they conducted a thorough investigation at the time, and have given Mr Ferguson assurances that they will act on any new information that comes to light

Four other people were shot and injured during five days of rioting in the area in the same month.