Dissidents 'won't control' Derry

The attack happened in a house in Creggan Heights on Wednesday

Dissidents will never be allowed to control communities in Londonderry, one of Northern Ireland's most senior police officers has said.

Two men are recovering after separate paramilitary-style shootings in the city this week.

Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said the dissidents have little or no support, even from within republican areas.

"People realise this type of activity will not be tolerated, we are working together to stop this."

"The fact they have to shoot, beat and murder shows they don't have the control or the stranglehold that they want," he said.

"These individuals are not wanted, they have nothing to offer and people know that."

The Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland bishops of Derry have also condemned "vigilante justice" after the shootings.

Seamus Hegarty and Ken Good said the most recent attack was "immoral and indefensible".

On Wednesday four masked men entered the house in Creggan Heights and shot a 26-year-old man in the thigh, knee and ankle.

On Monday a 37-year-old man was shot in both legs in Rosemount Gardens.

Both men were treated in hospital for their injuries, which were not life-threatening.

Dissident republicans have said they carried out the attacks.

The bishops said that those responsible were "trying to impose control within their communities rather than serve them."

"The policing and justice system in any community is the appropriate means for maintaining order.

"Individuals and groups who, in their pursuit of power, seek to act as judge, jury and executioner, have no place in the minds of the citizens of this city and beyond.

"All that is being offered to our community by such actions is fear and lawlessness, and we refuse to accept this," they said.

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