Commenting on the fatal shootings in Alexandra Park, Belfast and Shipquay Street in Derry, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP said:
“The murders of two men in Londonderry and North Belfast are abhorrent and brutal crimes, for which there is no excuse. This type of cowardly vigilante justice is never a substitute for policing and the force of law.
“I send my sincere sympathies to the families of both victims. I strongly encourage anyone who has information about these despicable crimes - and similar ones like the horrific shooting attack in East Belfast last week - to come forward and speak to the PSNI. And I am sure the police will leave no stone unturned in bringing to justice the people responsible for these disgraceful attacks.”