Shot fired and petrol bombs thrown at police in Lurgan

A GUNSHOT was fired at police during serious disorder linked to an ongoing security alert in Lurgan.

A resulting security alert in Lake Street, ended on Monday afternoon. Two suspicious objects have been examined and both have been declared as hoaxes. 

Police said all evacuated residents were able to return to their homes and the train line has reopened.

More than 100 petrol bombs were also thrown at police as they came under attack at police cordons in the Lake Street area.

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Police also said 25 paint bombs, bricks and other masonry were thrown by a "large and aggressive crowd" who gathered at around 9pm and remained until the early hours of the morning.

The PSNI said the attack happened while police were dealing with "what is potentially an explosive device" close the Portadown railway line.

The line remains closed and passengers on the Belfast to Dublin Enterprise service are being bussed between Belfast and Newry.

A police spokeswoman said no officers or members of the public were injured, but a number of police vehicles were damaged.

Superintendent David Moore said: "The behaviour of those involved in the disorder last night was nothing short of disgusting.

"At one point a gunman emerged from this crowd and fired at least one shot at police. Mercifully no-one was hurt.

"Local police officers and TSG colleagues were on the receiving end of orchestrated, intense and prolonged violence for a number of hours last night, all while trying to keep this community safe from what is potentially an explosive device close the railway line.

"We are extremely fortunate this morning not to be talking about officers being seriously injured simply while trying to do their job.

"I am grateful to the officers who were on duty last night for their professionalism and resilience and for the contribution they make to keeping this community safe in extremely challenging circumstances."

Superintendent Moore added that disruption was likely to continue today as a "methodical clearance operation to dispose of the device will continue".

"It will be necessary to evacuate a number of homes and we have already been in touch with most of the householders who will be affected by this operation," he said.

"I am grateful for the co-operation and support of the broader community in Lurgan and I would ask that those who engaged in last night’s despicable disorder, seriously consider the consequences of their actions and the impact they are having not only on their community police officers but also on their community itself."

Policing Board chairwoman Anne Connolly said officers were faced with a very menacing situation.

"Police are clear that the violence was orchestrated and we are grateful that no-one was injured."

DUP MP David Simpson said: "The kind of violence witnessed over the weekend was absolutely disgraceful, and for police to come under gunfire highlights just how serious this trouble was. It would seem clear that dissident republican terrorists are responsible for this trouble, particularly given the prolonged and orchestrated nature.

"Those who engage in terrorism and violence today are merely emulating those who attempted to use such failed tactics in the past. There can be little doubt that the continued glorification of past terrorism plays into the hands of those who hold the community to ransom today."

Sinn Fein representative Catherine Seeley said it was an effort to murder officers.

"Those behind these attacks have no political vision or strategy.

"It is completely and utterly futile.

"It is important to point out that this does not reflect the views of the community of the north Lurgan area, most of whom, I am sure, would strongly agree that those responsible should stop immediately and allow the community to live in peace."