THE mother of a woman shot in the stomach at point blank range in a Newry casino has said the chances of her daughter making a full recovery are “touch and go.”
Roisin Rocks, who works in the Water Street establishment, is in a serious but stable condition after being shot at around 11.35pm on Sunday during a failed armed robbery attempt.
Her distraught mother Marian Ferguson said the family is in shock.
“We got a phone call in the middle of the night and since then it’s just been terrible,” she said.
“Nobody expects something like this to happen, that your daughter could go to work and not come home safe. She was shot twice.
“One of the bullets went straight through her. We’re all just praying for her – as long as she’s okay that’s all that matters.”
Roisin is recovering in Daisy Hill Hospital, after almost five hours of emergency surgery.
“The doctors worked very hard and were lovely to us. They say the operation went well but we can only wait it’s touch and go,” Marian said.
It’s understood the gunman forced the mum-of-two to the back of the premises, where there is a safe and demanded cash.
He is believed to have pulled the trigger in agitation after a panic button was pressed, setting off the alarm system.
After shooting his victim the man fled in the direction of the North Street/High Street area.
Police have since made an arrest, but would confirm only that a man is assisting them with their enquires.
“Police responded to the area immediately. A number of detectives are carrying active and ongoing enquiries,” a spokesman added.
Deputy Mayor Charlie Casey, who is a neighbour of Roisin’s parents, described the shooting as “sickening”.
“That some thug could walk into a premises in the city and shoot an innocent woman at point blank range defies belief – it’s truly shocking,” the Sinn Fein councillor said.
“Our thoughts are with her and her entire family. I hope that she makes a full physical and emotional recovery.
“I echo the revulsion felt by the rest of the community at this attack on a young mother in her place of work.”
Also condemning the attack was the SDLP’s Dominic Bradley, who said a “strong message” must be sent that anyone involved in this type of violent crime will be “apprehended, brought before the courts, and put behind bars”.
“I would appeal to anyone with any information which might be of help to the police investigation to come forward with it without delay,” he said.
Anyone with information or who witnessed suspicious activity and hasn’t spoken to police should contact 0845 600 8000 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.