Northern Ireland

Man (37) arrested over attempted murder of Kesh police officer

A police officer was confronted by a masked man wielding a shotgun outside his home in Kesh, Co Fermanagh
A police officer was confronted by a masked man wielding a shotgun outside his home in Kesh, Co Fermanagh A police officer was confronted by a masked man wielding a shotgun outside his home in Kesh, Co Fermanagh

A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of a police officer at his Co Fermanagh home.

The man was arrested in the wider Fermanagh area last night.

The policeman was confronted by a masked man pointing a shotgun at him when he opened the front door of his Kesh home at around 2am yesterday.

The armed man, who was dressed in black, made off on foot across fields.

Police said the officer had been "traumatised". He had opened the door after hearing a noise outside the property on the Rosscah/Crevenish Road, which is around five miles from the border.

Speaking today Detective Chief Inspector Julie Mullan said she "firmly believes this was an attempt to murder a police officer" and while she was "keeping an open mind" on motive added that she "firmly believes this was organised criminal elements who launched this attack on the police officer".

"Organised criminality and that's all I can say at this stage, I can't rule anything in or out," she added.

"It's a had huge impact on the officer, it was a horrific incident for him and his wider family.

"He is, as you would expect in this situation, he is being supported by his colleagues and by ourselves and by his family, but he is traumatised by the incident."

She would not say whether anyone else was in the house at the time.

"My appeal today is for information, no matter how small you think it may be," DCI Mullan added.

"Anyone who was in the area of the Rosscah/Crevenish Rd area at around 2am yesterday morning and saw any suspicious activity, persons or vehicle, to bring that information forward."

Read more: Attempted murder of off-duty PSNI officer close to the border linked to `organised criminals'