A five-year-old Fermanagh boy struck by a stray bullet in his schoolyard has left hospital.
Darragh Somers was shot in the head by a .22 rifle in the grounds of Mullinaskea Primary School nearly two months ago. But following two lengthy operations at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, he has astounded medical staff with the speed of his recovery.
He left the hospital yesterday with his family who have promised him a party as soon as he is fully fit. He plans to return to school next September.
Despite examining some 50 legally held rifles in the locality, PSNI officers have still to identify the weapon used. They believe someone hunting in the locality of the school fired the shot which accidentally struck the boy. Several appeals have been made for the owner of the weapon to come forward, but there has been no response since the incident on April 22nd.
Leaving the hospital yesterday, Darragh's father, Gerald, expressed gratitude to all staff. "They've just done a great job. Everybody has been marvellous," he said. "Doctors, nursing staff and even cleaners have kept him happy and joking.
"At the start we thought he might not make it, but there was another force at work. I cannot understand it. It's beyond my comprehension. Initially we were very, very concerned, but after the first few days we grew more hopeful, although we were worried about the final outcome. That was scary. But look at him today. What a recovery."
Det Chief Insp Nigel Kyle told the BBC police still could not say whether the weapon used was illegal. "We have interviewed a considerable number of legal weapons-holders," he said.