A PENSIONER ARRESTED in connection with the shooting of 50-year-old man in Newry yesterday evening has been released on conditional bail.

The attack happened at Parkhead Crescent in the town at around 7pm yesterday, and the man was arrested in the early hours of this morning.

The PSNI confirmed this afternoon that he had been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.

The victim is being treated in hospital in Belfast, where he is said to be in a critical condition. It’s understood he was shot in the stomach and knee.

Alliance Party justice spokesperson Steward Dickson condemned the shooting, saying that those behind it “cannot justify their actions and will not be allowed to drag our society back to the dark days of the past”

“My thoughts are with the victim and his family and I urge anyone with information to come forward and contact the police immediately. Those behind this incident must be taken off our streets immediately.”

SDLP MLA for the area Dominic Bradley said he had been “shocked” by the attack, and that it could not be justified.

The investigation is continuing.

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