The mother of the 24-year-old shot twice in front of hundreds of people on Sunday night says she is angry that the ‘bully boys’ responsible didn’t give him any warning before attacking him.
Emmet Doherty, 24, was shot twice in the leg on Flax Street within metres of the Ardoyne Fleadh stage where thousands of people had gathered for an open-air concert.
Local people came to the aid of the Jamaica Road man after the shooting, giving him first aid until the ambulance arrived.
His mother Katrina Doherty told the North Belfast News today (Thursday) he was still being treated in hospital.
While describing her son as 'no angel’ Katrina believes the shooting was related to an incident which took place outside a local club the previous night.
“His head was stood on and he was shot twice in one of his legs. He’s so angry at what happened and I am too. It’s not the legs that will be injured now, it will be his mind.
“Things should have been dealt with in another way, you just can’t go shooting people.”
After the attack Katrina wrote on social media that she believes the shooting was linked to an incident the previous night where he was involved in a confrontation.
In a social media post she said, “They should have been brave enough to approach Emmet about the incident on Saturday night instead of shooting him. There's worse than Emmet running about. This was over a certain bully boy who thinks he's a man. Well, all I can say is God help the teenagers growing up, as they don't stand a chance. I personally think they should have come to my door to speak to Emmet rather than shooting him in front of young children. No one has the right to shoot any one.”
Katrina says “the dogs in the street” knows who shot him but fears people will be reluctant to give information to the police.
“I don’t think anyone will come forward.”
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín branded the attack “cowardly and despicable”, while Detective Chief Inspector Gary Reid from the PSNI appealed for information.
"Police received a report that a 24 year old man had been shot in the legs just before 10.55pm. He was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries that were not believed to be life threatening.
"I would ask anyone who knows anything about this incident to contact CID at Tennent Street Police Station on the non emergency number 101. Or to provide information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
