Three masked men, two armed with hand guns, forced their way into the house shortly before 12.30am and shot the 40-year-old victim who sustained wound

Three masked men, two armed with hand guns, forced their way into the house shortly before 12.30am and shot the 40-year-old victim who sustained wounds to his elbow, ankle and both knees.He was taken to hospital but his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.Police said there was no evidence of paramilitary involvement.An eight-year-old girl narrowly escaped injury when gunmen targeted the same home 18 months ago.The child had just left an upstairs room when a shot was fired through the window.At the time police said there was no paramilitary link to that incident either.It is understood that young children were again in the home when today’s attack took place.SDLP North Belfast Assembly member Alban Maginness condemned the incident.“This was a brutal and cowardly attack and there can be no excuse or justification for it,” he said.“It is deeply concerning that those responsible carried out this assault in the presence of young children.“The damage that they may have suffered, both physically and mentally, was obviously of no concern to the thugs responsible for this heartless act. The local community is clear in its abhorrence and disgust at this attack.”North Belfast Sinn Féin councillor Margaret McClenaghan also hit out at those responsible.“This shooting was wrong and should not have happened,” she said.