Elliott condemns “Disgraceful Murder Attempt”
Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has described the murder attempt on a police officer in Dungannon this evening as cowardly and disgraceful.
Mr Elliott said: “Obviously my first concern is for the well-being of the injured officer. I hope that his injuries are not too severe and that he will soon recover to full health.
“This has all the indications of going back to the dark days of the troubles in this province. At a time when many thought that the new political dispensation would eradicate this type of incident it appears that some republicans want to continue the murderous campaign of the last four decades. This is cowardly, dastardly action of people who are enemies of this province.
“I understand there has been a heightened security threat in the area during the past few weeks and I have concerns that this may not have come from the normal dissident republican source but from a source close to mainstream republicanism. If this is accurate it could have far-reaching consequences for the political situation in Northern Ireland.
“The timing of this incident is important in that Sinn Fein had failed to nominate its members of the District Policing Partnership last month and was due to nominate at tonight’s Council meeting. The shooting took place just a short distance from the Council offices. The Council meeting was postponed following the incident.
“I have spent the last three hours at the scene of the shooting in Dungannon and the local people there are in a state of shock and disbelief. They had clearly hoped that there was an end to this type of incident a long time ago.
“This incident just proves that you cannot trust these republicans who will go to any lengths to destroy the people of Northern Ireland.
“There is an urgent security review required in the province and I will seek an early meeting with the Secretary of State and the Security Minister Paul Goggins.”