Dissident republicans threaten attacks on PSNI
Dissident republicans tonight threatened new attacks on police officers in the North.
The previously unknown Irish Republican Liberation Army claimed it shot an officer who was ambushed in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, last night.
A man and woman have been arrested and questioned about the shooting, the second of its type in the North in five days. Last week in Derry and off-duty officer was shot outside his son’s school.
A statement by the IRLA said: “There is now a central command within our organisation. More shootings will follow. We again reiterate our threat to Sinn Féiners in north Belfast. We again demand they resign from local DPPs’ (district policing partnership) boards.”
The injured policeman, Paul Musgrave, was shot in the shoulder. He is said to be in a stable condition.
He had just left work last night when his vehicle, believed to be a 4x4, was targeted close to a Catholic church in the town.
Mr Musgrave, who is in his 30s, was able to drive to safety in the nearby Dungannon police station and was taken by ambulance to Craigavon Area Hospital.
Chief Constable Hugh Orde said his officers will not be deterred from carrying out their duties. Those behind the attack had taken cowardice to new levels, he claimed.
Mr Orde said: “This will not deter police officers going about their day-to-day duties of protecting communities in Northern Ireland.
“We will continue to carry out our duties as fairly and properly as we can.
“It makes it all the more impressive, what has been achieved by the PSNI over the last five years. They have pushed edges continually.
“If a small number of disenfranchised people who have been clearly rejected by their community as stated by every political leader wish to continue, we will pursue them to the ends of the earth.”
