A Co Fermanagh father whose son was hit in the head by a stray bullet in a school playground has pleaded with the gunman to own up.
Gerald Somers issued an appeal yesterday over the rifle shot that wounded Darragh (5). Despite forensic and ballistic tests on more than 50 seized guns, PSNI detectives are refusing to say if they know who fired the bullet.
Mr Somers said an admission could help him and his wife Jeannine to cope.
"The person that did this, it was a terrible accident. I have no doubt in my mind they are feeling the strain of it, they have an awful weight to bear," he said. "If he could even find it in himself to come forward it would be so much better, in order for Jeannine and me to move forward with Darragh and put closure to this."
Darragh has made a recovery since he was injured while playing at St Patrick's Primary School near Enniskillen.
After days spent critically ill on a life-support machine, his condition is now ill but stable. It is thought he was hit by a stray bullet from a .22 rifle fired by someone shooting vermin.
Det Chief Insp Nigel Kyle admitted someone may be shielding the gunman. He was certain whoever fired the shot knew what had happened, but stressed police were still treating it as a sporting accident.
Det Chief Insp Kyle said it could harm the inquiry if police revealed whether they knew who was responsible.
Although everyone questioned by police has been eliminated from the investigation, the police still need to identify a dark blue Toyota Jeep spotted driving in and out of the school just before the shooting.
Mr Somers said it would be some time yet before his son is allowed home from the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.