FIVE MEN were still being questioned by PSNI and Garda detectives last night following Saturday’s foiled attempt by suspected dissident republicans to murder a Catholic police officer in Garrison in Co Fermanagh.
Politicians at Stormont yesterday united in strongly condemning the murder bid and the attempt to bomb the policing board headquarters at Clarendon Dock in Belfast on Saturday. Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew said anyone with information about either attack should bring it forward to the PSNI and Garda.
Garda intelligence and co-operation played a significant part in the PSNI and Garda apprehending five men on both sides of the Border after the murder bid in Garrison, it is understood. There was a heavy police presence in the Garrison area ahead of the arrests, with security sources confirming they were expecting an attack on the young officer, who had only recently joined the PSNI.
The PSNI said one shot was fired at them and that they returned two shots during the operation. No one was injured.
Four men, who were arrested in or near Garrison, were still in custody last night, as was the man arrested by gardaí in Co Leitrim.
The level of threat from the dissidents – set by MI5, which has the lead role in the North in dissident intelligence-gathering – remains at “severe”, the second highest.
The fact the dissident gang could drive a car with a 400lb bomb to Clarendon Dock has caused great concern to British and Irish security chiefs. Had it fully exploded there would have been massive damage and possible loss of life, PSNI chief constable Matt Baggott and policing board members including chairman Barry Gilligan said. It is understood only the detonator exploded.