A PARAMILITARY-STYLE attack took place in west Belfast over the weekend as a man was terrorised in his own home by three masked men who forced their way into the property.
The man, who is in his 40's, was attacked and shot in both ankles in his home in Brooke Drive on Saturday, October 12th, at around 10.40pm, according to police.
He was taken to hospital via ambulance for treatment after his young son, who was also in the house at the time, ran for help.
The boy overheard but did not witness the attack and has been left traumatised by the ordeal, police say.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Detective Inspector Kerry Brennan appealed for information after the "vicious and merciless" attack:
"This is despicable and should not be happening in a civilised society.
"This young boy was placed in a reprehensible situation".
"This was a horrific incident for this young child to witness and will have a very deep impact on him."
Detective Chief Inspector of the PSNI, Dunny McCubbin, also condemned the attack when speaking to the BBC, and said:
"This is a brutal attack and I cannot emphasise enough the fact that this was a young child of primary school age who was with his father spending time over the weekend.
"The fact that this attack has taken place in the house where a young boy is present is absolutely despicable.
"I utterly condemn this attack.
"The trauma this has put on the young boy cannot be underestimated."
