PSNI gun attack 'murder attempt'

His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. A civilian was also stabbed and is in hospital.

Three men were arrested under terrorist legislation during the trouble in Castlemara estate on Saturday night.

Weapons, including CS spray, a crossbow and baseball bats, were also found. The trouble is being linked to UDA feuding.

Officers were called after reports that a large crowd had gathered in Castlemara Drive at about 2230 BST.

The three men were arrested after police stopped a car.

Security Minister, Paul Goggins said those within loyalism who refused to cease criminal activity had "nothing to offer their own community or anyone else".

"We are very serious about how we are going to respond operationally to this and we will be taking full measures"
Mark Gilmore

The police District Commander for the area, Mark Gilmore, condemned the attack.

"This is a very serious incident - we're only 12 hours into a very complex investigation," he said.

"We are very serious about how we are going to respond operationally to this and we will be taking full measures to reassure the community and bring anyone to justice who feels that they want to further break the law."

The town's deputy mayor, Patricia McKinney, was in the area on Saturday night and said she was appalled that the police were targeted.

"The fact that there were firearms used at all - we don't need the like of this in our borough, regardless of who was shot," she said.

She said the police were in the area to protect the community.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about any of the incidents to contact them.