Northern Ireland

Police officer shot by 'IRA': I thought I was going to die

The officer in his twenties was shot three times in the arm as he left this north Belfast filling station
The officer in his twenties was shot three times in the arm as he left this north Belfast filling station The officer in his twenties was shot three times in the arm as he left this north Belfast filling station

A POLICE officer shot at a north Belfast petrol station has said: "I thought I was going to die on that forecourt."

The officer in his twenties was wounded three times in the arm during the attack on Sunday January 22.

A group calling itself the IRA admitted the attempted murder, in which an AK47 assault rifle was used.

Speaking anonymously in an episode of the BBC's Crimewatch to be broadcast on Monday night, the officer, speaking anonymously, said: "I felt something hit me...everything slowed down. Blood was pouring out.

"I thought that was me. I thought I was going to die on that forecourt."

Detectives will use the BBC programme to appeal for more information on the Crumlin Road attack by releasing previously unseen CCTV footage.

It is believed rounds may have been fired from behind a fence across the road from the forecourt as two officers exited the shop.

The images show a car police are linking to the attack, a red Audi A4 estate which was found burned out in west Belfast afterwards.

Detective Superintendent Kevin Geddes said: "I welcome the opportunity to make a fresh appeal for information on Crimewatch tonight more than one month after the attack when I will also reveal new pieces of information in relation to the investigation.

"The programme will also feature my colleague speaking about his ordeal publicly for the first time.

"He will bravely describe the moments leading up to the attack, his thoughts and feelings on realising he had been shot and injured, and also describe his road to recovery."

Three men, aged 30, 36, and 39, who were arrested in connection with the incident were all released unconditionally.

No further arrests have been made since then, police said.

:: Crimewatch will air on Monday at 9pm on BBC1.