By Conor Sharkey
AS another young Strabane man was recovering from injuries sustained as a result of a punishment attack today (Thursday), a man shot last month has called on his attackers to meet him face to face and explain why he was targetted.
Three weeks ago, Paul Murray (30) was dragged from his Springhill home and shot six times by a gang of masked men. In a statement to the Strabane Chronicle last week, a group calling itself the Republican Defence Association (RDA) said they shot Mr Murray because he was a drug dealer.
Still struggling to recover from his injuries, Mr Murray rigorously denies the allegations levelled at him by the paramilitary grouping.
He said: "The RDA claim I have been receiving drugs through the post and selling them on. That is complete rubbish. I have never been involved in anything like that in my life."
While admitting he may have been involved in some minor illegal activities in his younger days, Mr Murray said it is his son and partner who take priority these days.
"I live with my partner Christine and my son Oran who is five. They mean the world to me and I would never do anything to jeopardise their safety. When I was younger I might have been a bit of a live wire, but nowadays the worst I would get up to is a quiet drink in the house. Myself and Christine just keep ourselves to ourselves," he explained.
Since being shot, Mr Murray and his family have left Strabane, however the nightmare hasn't ended.
"I have been getting calls to my mobile. When I pick it up, they shout bang, bang and then start laughing. It is very frightening for us all and I am genuinely living in fear that these people will come back. I definitely won't be living in Strabane again after this," he said.
At present, the shooting victim has to have his wounds attended to on a regular basis and needs his bandages changed daily.
"I doubt if I will be able to work for a very long time. At the moment I'm still in great pain and I'm suffering from depression. I couldn't tell you the last night I slept and every time I hear a car pulling up outside the house, I'm up looking out the window. Whoever did this has completely wrecked my life and I don't even know why."
He added: "I do want answers. These people have turned all our lives upside down. They know I'm not involved in drug dealing, it is a ridiculous suggestion. Another political organisation and the PSNI told me that they have looked into my background and they haven't been able to come with a reason for my targetting. The police said they know who is up to what in Strabane and that my name has never come up. I would be definitely be prepared to meet with my attackers to find the real reason I was shot. I know and anyone who knows me knows that I'm no drug dealer."
Meanwhile, a 21 year old man is recovering in hospital after being shot several times by a masked gang in the St Colman's Drive area of Strabane on Tuesday night. It is as yet unclear if the RDA were behind the attack.
