Victim of shooting denied travel for treatment

The victim of a suspected republican feud shooting in Northern Ireland has been prevented from travelling to Scotland for surgery, his solicitor has claimed.

Sean OReilly, 49, was shot twice in an attack in the Bell Steel Manor area of Dunmurry on Sunday.

Mr OReillys solicitor alleged he was denied travel under anti-terrorism legislation.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said it was not its decision.

Mr OReillys solicitor said that they will be taking legal action "to establish who is responsible for the decision".

Mr OReilly is currently believed to be under armed guard at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for his own safety.

He has undergone surgery to remove a bullet from his collarbone.

A scan showed he had also suffered a severed nerve in his left bicep and arrangements were made for specialist surgery in Glasgow.

The PSNI contacted Police Scotland so it could arrange to manage the risk to him while in Glasgow.

However, it is believed the hospital was then unwilling to admit him.

Mr OReillys solicitor Peter Corrigan said a surgeon said he requires treatment before Saturday "or the nerves will die".

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulsters Evening Extra programme, Mr Corrigan said: "Were pursuing a judicial review against the trust, the PSNI, MI5 and the Scottish authorities to establish who is responsible for the decision not to give my client the emergency medical attention that he requires."

He claimed that Mr OReillys human rights were being violated by denying him emergency care.

Mr Corrigan said that they are "not accepting" what is being said in the statement by the PSNI.

"The time is ticking about who is responsible. I would urge the authorities, including the Scottish authorities, to provide him with the emergency care that he needs".

Mr Corrigan said it was an "arbitrary, unlawful decision" which restricted his clients freedom of movement and that "there is no lawful basis to prevent my client" from travelling to Scotland.

Republican Network for Unity, a small political group with links to the dissident organisation Óglaigh na hÉireann, has said Mr OReilly is one of its members.