PEACE SHATTERED…Milltown Court, the housing development in Newtownbutler where the shooting happened
THE village of Newtownbutler has for the second time in a year been caught up in a shooting.
In the early hours last Wednesday, November 11, shots were fired at a property in Milltown Court and a vehicle set alight. Thankfully the householder and his family, which includes young children were unhurt, despite being in at the time. It is understood affected family were members of the Travelling community, with both police and Newtownbutler residents confirming this.
The shocking incident is exactly ten months on from the death of 63-year-old Longford man and member of the Traveller community Barney McGinley. He was shot outside St Mary’s Church in the village while attending a family wedding. Patrick McGinley (46) and his son William, both of Lisfarrell, Edgeworthstown are accused of his murder, while William is also charged with attempting to murder Barney McGinley’s 38-year-old son, Bernard McGinley Junior, on the same occasion.
Detectives in Fermanagh have made an appeal for information following this latest incident in Newtownbutler. Detective Sergeant Keith Monaghan confirmed that the incident in the Milltown Court area of Newtownbutler took place at around 1.19am, with the family inside the property at the time. There have been no reports of any injuries.
“Our enquiries are ongoing, and at this stage, we’d like to speak to anyone who may have heard or seen anything suspicious in the area in and around this time.”
In an update yesterday Detective Sergeant Monaghan confirmed there has been no progress to report in the investigations and no arrests made.
Local SDLP councillor Richie McPhilips, whose mother and brother both live in the village explained the sense of shock in the community.
“It’s just unfortunate that these incidents take place, but you would hope obviously the greater good would prevail and people would see a bit of sense, because it has no place in either Newtownbutler or general society at all.”
Mr McPhilips told the Herald he has been contacted by residents in Milltown Court about the shooting.
“I know that the residents in Milltown Court are particularly alarmed at what’s been taking place and several of them have made representations to me about it. Obviously I would be intending to speak to local police in the coming days, because this last while Newtownbutler has been getting quite a name. In general there seems to be a quite a few problems in the Newtownbutler area and I would hope that there will be a change in the circumstances soon.”
While there is no link between the murder of Barney McGinley and this latest shooting Mr McPhilips conceded the events are not painting the village in a favourable light.
“It’s just putting Newtownbutler in the news for all the wrong reasons and no village wants that in any shape or form.”
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