The LCC represents loyalist paramilitaries the UDA, UVF and Red Hand Commando who recently rejected the GFA and have been threatening violence over the NI Protocol. The PSNI/RUC have done nothing to queal the loyalist actions
Today at 21:20
The officer was approached by two gunmen who opened fire near a sports complex on the Killyclogher Road at around 8pm.
Initial reports suggested the shooting happened in front of young people at football coaching session.
The scene of the shooting in Omagh (Pic: Kevin Scott)
He was given first aid at the scene and rushed to hospital where he is understood to be in a critical condition. Initial reports suggest the officer was hit multiple times.
It happened close to the Youth Sports Omagh complex.
There is significant police activity at the scene tonight.
PSNI/RUC vehicles at the scene of the shooting in Omagh (Pic: Kevin Scott)
A large number of PSNI vehicles and officers are visible in the vicinity of the shooting with an area around the sports complex sealed off by forensic tape.
There were also reports of a car found burning a short distance from the scene.
The Police Federation of NI, which represents rank-and-file officers, said: “We totally condemn this appalling and barbaric act of violence on an off-duty officer in Omagh. Our thoughts are with our colleague and his family.
"These gunmen offer nothing to society.”
Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris said it was a “shocking incident”.
"My immediate thoughts are with the PSNI officer and his family. Those responsible for such horror must be brought to justice,” he said.
Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott indicated the police officer attacked in Omagh was shot in front of young people at a football coaching session.
"Despicable, cowardly action. No place in society for this," he tweeted.
While dissident republicans from the New IRA would have a small base in Co Tyrone, the detective targeted would also have been involved in investigating organised crime gangs.
Read more
The NI Ambulance Service (NIAS) said it received a 999 call at 8.02pm following reports of an incident in the Slievard area of Killyclogher.
“NIAS despatched a Rapid Response Paramedic, an emergency crew and an ambulance officer to the incident,” a spokesman said.
"Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was taken by ambulance to Altnagelvin Area Hospital.”
There was a significant police presence in and around the area of the shooting (Pic: Kevin Scott)
He is the first police officer to be shot in a gun attack in Northern Ireland since 2017 when a uniform officer was injured coming out of a garage on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast.
On that occasion dissident republican gunmen opened fire with an AK 47 causing serious hand injuries to the officer.
Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill posted on Facebook: “Terrible news this evening of an off-duty police officer being shot in Kilyclogher, Omagh. This is an outrageous and shameful attack.
"My immediate thoughts are with the officer and his family.
"I unreservedly condemn this reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer.”
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said he is shocked and concerned at the news of the attack.
The party’s policing spokesperson said: “I unreservedly condemn this murderous attack on an off-duty police officer.
"My immediate thoughts are with the officer injured in the shooting and his family who will be traumatised by this attack.”
He added: “I have spoken to senior police officers on a number of occasions tonight to put on record my concern and my absolute disgust at this attack.
“I am also calling on the public to co-operate with the ongoing police investigation in the area and anyone with any information on this attack should bring it forward to the police.”
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson MP tweeted: “Terrible news from Omagh tonight. Our heart goes out to the family of this courageous police officer and to his colleagues.
"We condemn outright the cowards responsible for this. These terrorists have nothing to offer and they must be brought to justice. We stand with the PSNI.”
Alliance leader Naomi Long tweeted: “Disturbing news of unfolding events in Omagh this evening. My thoughts and those of my Alliance Party colleagues are with the officer, his family, colleagues, and all those affected by this evil act of cowardice.”
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP said the attack on the officer in Omagh is “a chilling attack on an individual serving his community and must be treated as an attack on the people of Ireland who have long rejected this kind of senseless violence”.
The Foyle MP added: “The brutal attack on a police officer in Omagh this evening is a chilling reminder of the horrifying violence that criminal gangs are willing to visit on the people of the North of Ireland.
“My thoughts and the thoughts of my SDLP colleagues are with the man and with the paramedics, doctors, nurses and police colleagues looking after him at this time.
"In the face of appalling violence that has no place in modern Ireland, their bravery and selfless dedication to service is an enduring reminder that for every individual determined to tear us apart, there are hundreds more committed to defending our peace and all those who live under it.
“Those behind this attack are committed to the fallacy that they are at war with the British establishment. Let me say very clearly to them that they are not. As I have said before, their fight is not with the British Government or the PSNI. Their fight is with the people of Ireland who have chosen peace. And it is a fight that they will never, never win.”
Forensic officers at the scene of the shooting on the Killyclougher Road in Omagh (Pic: Kevin Scott)
The PSNI have confirmed that they are currently at the scene of a shooting in the Killyclogher Road area of Omagh.
A spokesperson said “One man, a serving police officer, has been taken to hospital for treatment after being injured in a shooting incident at a sports complex just before 8pm this evening.”
FOLLOW the link below for an update on the latest.....
With many thanks to the: Belfast Telegraph and Allison Morris and Emma Montgomery for the original story.
Follow these links to find out more on this story: UVF Godfathers threatening sick Nazi-style Kristallnacht.
No comments:
Post a Comment