After a police officer was shot at Youth Sport Omagh in County Tyrone, the (PSNI) has opened a probe into attempted murder. The off-duty police officer was coaching young football players when he was shot multiple times by two fleeing gunmen. At Londonderry’s Altnagelvin Hospital, he remains in a critical but serious condition.
Political leaders in Ireland and the United Kingdom have expressed shock and outrage at the attempted assassination of the police officer. Northern Ireland leader Simon Byrne tweeted that he was “shocked and saddened” by the events. Michelle O’Neill, deputy leader of Sinn Féin, called it a “outrageous and disgraceful attack,” and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, condemned the “cowards” responsible. Taoiseach Leo Vardakar condemned the “grotesque act of attempted murder,” while Minister of Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin expressed shock and outrage.
The attack is the latest in a string of violent incidents against Northern Ireland police officers, including the 2011 murder of Ronan Kerr. The attack is suspected to have been perpetrated by dissident republican groups such as the New IRA, with the Police Federation for Northern Ireland condemning it as a “appalling and barbaric act of violence.” An Garda Sochána (Irish police) have increased patrols in border counties as they have urged anyone with information to come forward.
The targeted PSNI officer is an extremely senior detective who has led several high-profile investigations. The officer remains in critical condition, and his family is in our thoughts. The governments of the United Kingdom and Ireland, along with local political leaders, have condemned this vicious attack and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
