Dissidents targeting the PSNI in Fermanagh village may have fired shots at civilian helicopter
Last updated 19th Jan 2021
Dissident paramilitaries shot at a helicopter that was privately owned in Co Fermanagh thinking they were targeting police, the PSNI believes.
It comes as a security operation - the second in five days - continued today (Tuesday) in the Wattlebridge Road area of Newtownbutler after claims that a device had been abandoned there.
There had been claims from those said to represent the dissident group - the Continuity IRA - that they had fired shots at a police helicopter on January 14
But South Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Andy Freeburn, said the police helicopter was not in the area at any time on January 14.
"A fixed wing aircraft was deployed to conduct searches on this date,'' he said.
"Following extensive inquiries we have established that a private helicopter was travelling through the area on Thursday.
"If there is any truth to the claims from dissident republicans, we believe that this civilian helicopter is the aircraft that they shot at.
"Fortunately the helicopter did not sustain any damage and its occupant was unaware of any shots being fired.''
Chief Superintendent Freeburn said police were taking the claims "extremely seriously'' and condemned the "absolute disregard for the lives of ordinary people''.
He said police are working with the Garda to make the area safe and gather evidence.
"The fact that this alleged attack was intended for police, makes it no less heinous,'' he said.
"Police officers safeguard our communities every day in the face of this threat and continue to do their utmost to build a safer society.
"We can all show our contempt for such senseless attacks by standing together and working in partnership to find those responsible.
"The Continuity IRA have sought to disrupt our communities a number of times over the last few years with a booby trap device in Craigavon in July 2019, an explosive device on the Cavan Road in August 2019 and an explosive device on a heavy goods vehicle in Lurgan in January 2020.
"They did not care about the danger they caused to our communities then, nor do they care now. All right-thinking people will appreciate the catastrophic affects that a crashed aircraft would have had on the helicopter pilot and residents living in this area. Their recklessness knows no bounds.''
He added: "I am asking everyone to work with us to find those responsible for this attack on our community.
"If you have information that can assist our investigation, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact us immediately on 101.''