A MAN IN his 70s has been taken to hospital after he was shot in his home in Coleraine, Co Derry. 

Police in Northern Ireland said they received a report that a number of men wearing balaclavas had broken into a property in the Ballygallin Park area of Coleraine just at around 9:50pm last night. 

The elderly man was shot five times during the home invasion, the PSNI said. 

“When the man was taken to hospital for treatment, it was established that he had been shot five times in the arm and legs. He had also sustained injuries to his head and torso,” said detective inspector Lavery. 

“At this time, the injuries he received are thankfully not thought to be life-threatening.”

Lavery continued: “It’s absolutely appalling that an elderly person should be attacked in their own home in this way. There is no place in our society for vigilantism and we are fortunate that the outcome was not much more serious. 

“Our enquiries are at an early stage and we would appeal for anyone with information in relation to this incident to contact us. 

The PSNI detective appealed for witnesses to come forward.