Menu
17/06/2008
Arrest Follows Border Bomb Explosion - As RUC Victims Remembered
It has emerged that the weekend bomb alert on the border was in fact a terrorist landmine attack - with the news coming at the same time as two RUC terrorist victims from 30 years ago are remembered.
Detectives investigating the weekend attempted murder of the police officers in Co Fermanagh have moved quickly and have now arrested a man - who was held in the Lisnaskea area on Monday.
Although little was known of the incident at first, it is now been revealed that two police officers were actually caught up in the outrage which police now said was "a deliberate attempt to murder the officers".
The officers, travelling in a car crossing a bridge near the village of Rosslea on Saturday morning, were only slightly injured.
Details about the attack was only released on Monday afternoon as US President George Bush arrived in Northern Ireland on a brief visit for talks with First Minister Peter Robinson and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
The dissident republican group, Continuity IRA, claimed they were responsible.
It's understood the officers escaped with cuts and bruises, but suffered hearing difficulties because of the noise and force of the blast at Rellan Road.
The area had been cordoned off since Saturday while Army bomb disposal officers dealt with the device which consisted of a substantial amount of home made explosives and placed under a bridge with a command wire leading for a firing point some distance away.
Chief Superintendent Michael Skuce said: "This was a determined attempt to kill police officers in Fermanagh. The fact that it failed is something for which we should all give thanks.
"My officers were on duty in Rosslea in the early hours of Saturday morning, providing a service to the local community. They do so without fear or favour to everyone in our community.
"Their dedication to the community stands in sharp contrast to the depraved actions of those individuals who planned and carried out this attack."
Meanwhile, today also marks the 30th anniversary of the murder of two RUC officers by the IRA at a south Armagh beauty spot.
Constables Hugh McConnell, from Bessbrook, and Billy Turbitt, from Richhill, were driving past Sturgan's Brae, near Camlough Lake - also in a border region - 30 years ago when the IRA opened fire on their car.
(BMcC)
Detectives investigating the weekend attempted murder of the police officers in Co Fermanagh have moved quickly and have now arrested a man - who was held in the Lisnaskea area on Monday.
Although little was known of the incident at first, it is now been revealed that two police officers were actually caught up in the outrage which police now said was "a deliberate attempt to murder the officers".
The officers, travelling in a car crossing a bridge near the village of Rosslea on Saturday morning, were only slightly injured.
Details about the attack was only released on Monday afternoon as US President George Bush arrived in Northern Ireland on a brief visit for talks with First Minister Peter Robinson and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
The dissident republican group, Continuity IRA, claimed they were responsible.
It's understood the officers escaped with cuts and bruises, but suffered hearing difficulties because of the noise and force of the blast at Rellan Road.
The area had been cordoned off since Saturday while Army bomb disposal officers dealt with the device which consisted of a substantial amount of home made explosives and placed under a bridge with a command wire leading for a firing point some distance away.
Chief Superintendent Michael Skuce said: "This was a determined attempt to kill police officers in Fermanagh. The fact that it failed is something for which we should all give thanks.
"My officers were on duty in Rosslea in the early hours of Saturday morning, providing a service to the local community. They do so without fear or favour to everyone in our community.
"Their dedication to the community stands in sharp contrast to the depraved actions of those individuals who planned and carried out this attack."
Meanwhile, today also marks the 30th anniversary of the murder of two RUC officers by the IRA at a south Armagh beauty spot.
Constables Hugh McConnell, from Bessbrook, and Billy Turbitt, from Richhill, were driving past Sturgan's Brae, near Camlough Lake - also in a border region - 30 years ago when the IRA opened fire on their car.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
08 March 2019
25 Year Sentence For Man Who Attempted To Murder Police
A man guilty of attempting to murder police officers has been jailed for 25 years. The PSNI welcomed the sentencing of Sean McVeigh, 38, after he was convicted of planting a bomb under a police officer's car.
25 Year Sentence For Man Who Attempted To Murder Police
A man guilty of attempting to murder police officers has been jailed for 25 years. The PSNI welcomed the sentencing of Sean McVeigh, 38, after he was convicted of planting a bomb under a police officer's car.
20 August 2019
PFNI Condemns Police Murder Bid
The Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, Mark Lindsay, has condemned republican terrorists who laid a bomb designed to kill security force personnel in County Fermanagh as "depraved and sick". A device exploded in Newtownbutler on Monday morning, 19 August, while police officers and army bomb disposal experts worked in the area.
PFNI Condemns Police Murder Bid
The Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, Mark Lindsay, has condemned republican terrorists who laid a bomb designed to kill security force personnel in County Fermanagh as "depraved and sick". A device exploded in Newtownbutler on Monday morning, 19 August, while police officers and army bomb disposal experts worked in the area.
11 March 2013
Police Officers Escape Injury In Blast
Three PSNI officers escaped serious injury in a bomb attack on Saturday. The blast occurred as police were on patrol in north Belfast. The incident is being treated as attempted murder, while the blame for the attack is being placed on dissident republicans. Officers were responding to a call out in the Hazelbank area at 21.
Police Officers Escape Injury In Blast
Three PSNI officers escaped serious injury in a bomb attack on Saturday. The blast occurred as police were on patrol in north Belfast. The incident is being treated as attempted murder, while the blame for the attack is being placed on dissident republicans. Officers were responding to a call out in the Hazelbank area at 21.
30 May 2013
Woman Arrested Over Pipe Bomb Attack
A 27-year-old woman has been arrested by detectives investigating the attempted murder of two PSNI officers in north Belfast. It is thought to be connected to the attack which occurred on the Upper Crumlin Road at about 02:00 on Tuesday morning.
Woman Arrested Over Pipe Bomb Attack
A 27-year-old woman has been arrested by detectives investigating the attempted murder of two PSNI officers in north Belfast. It is thought to be connected to the attack which occurred on the Upper Crumlin Road at about 02:00 on Tuesday morning.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
