PSNI Chief Constable says police will 'relentlessly pursue' those behind officer shooting

An off-duty police officer has been left fighting for his life after being shot in Omagh, County Tyrone in an attack described as "cold-blooded and barbaric".

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was "appalled by the disgraceful shooting".

"My thoughts are with the officer and his family. There is no place in our society for those who seek to harm public servants protecting communities," he said.

The man was attacked at a sports complex on the Killyclogher Road on Wednesday evening at around 8pm. He had been coaching youth football.

It is understood he is a senior officer, working on high-profile cases. He has been described as well known within policing circles and highly regarded by his colleagues.

SDLP Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said the shooting was very difficult and painful for the people of Omagh.

It is though the man was shot up to four times. Witnesses reported hearing multiple shots.

PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said the officer was in a critical but stable condition.He offered his thoughts to the officer, his family and colleagues.

"I am shocked and saddened by tonight's events in Omagh," he said.

"We will relentlessly pursue those responsible. They have nothing to offer our community."

Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, Liam Kelly, condemned as ‘barbaric and cold-blooded’ the gun attack which he said left an officer fighting for his life.

Mr Kelly said: “It’s understood two gunmen were involved in the attack. The injured officer was shot a number of times whilst he coached young persons playing football.

“This was a callous, cold-blooded and barbaric attempted murder on an off-duty officer. The officer is well known and respected in the area and plays an active role in the community. He is also well known within policing circles and is highly regarded by his colleagues.

“The people who carried out this cowardly and shocking act must be quickly identified and apprehended and I would appeal to the community to assist the police in whatever way they can.

“These criminals offer nothing but misery, suffering and heartache. They are bereft of any semblance of humanity. They won’t succeed in their evil mission to create lawlessness and anarchy, and we will do all we can to thwart and frustrate them.

“My thoughts, and those of all police officers, are with our colleague and his family. The police ‘family’ is strong and resilient, and we’ll be there for him and his family in this dreadful hour of need.”

Ulster Unionist Party MLA Tom Elliott said he was told the officer was shot four times by two masked men.

"I'm told the police officer is a fairly senior officer and he was seeing young people at a coaching session at the local sports complex," he told ITV News.

He added: "Really terrible and despicable act."

The officer has been taken to Altnagelvin hospital in Londonderry for treatment, police said.

Gardai say they have "intensified patrolling" in border counties following the shooting and are working with PSNI.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said they received a 999 call at 8.02pm following reports of an incident in the Slievard area of Killyclogher.

“NIAS dispatched a Rapid Response Paramedician Emergency Crew and an ambulance officer to the incident,” a spokesperson said.

“Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was taken by ambulance to Altnagelvin Area Hospital.”

Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill branded the attack "disgraceful and shameful".

She added in a tweet: "My immediate thoughts are with the officer and his family. I unreservedly condemn this reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer."

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said his heart goes out to the family of the officer.

In a tweet he said: "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 said the shooting was disturbing.

She said in a tweet: My thoughts and those of my colleagues are with the officer, his family, colleagues, and all those affected by this evil act of cowardice.

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said: “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 Northern 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."

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris also condemned the shooting.

"My immediate thoughts are with the PSNI officer and his family.

"Those responsible for such horror must be brought to justice." "I am aware of the shocking incident in Omagh tonight and am being kept up to date," he said.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar added: "I have heard the terrible news from Omagh about the shooting of an off-duty PSNI officer tonight. "Our thoughts are with the injured officer, his family, colleagues and friends at this difficult time. "I utterly condemn this grotesque act of attempted murder. I call on anyone with information about it to share it with the PSNI."

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