Police have said dissident republicans may have shot at a private helicopter as it flew over Co Fermanagh.
The Continuity IRA had claimed it fired a high powered Dragunov sniper rifle, a weapon favoured by the Russian military, at the PSNI helicopter at Wattlebridge, close to the Co Cavan border last Thursday.
However, police have denied the helicopter was used in the area on that day and suggested a civilian aircraft may have been targeted.
PSNI South Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Andy Freeburn said: “I can confirm that the Police Service helicopter was not deployed in the Wattlebridge area at any time on Thursday, 14th January. A fixed wing aircraft was deployed to conduct searches on this date. Following extensive enquiries 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."
He continued: “Those involved have shown their absolute disregard for the lives of ordinary people. The fact that this alleged attack was intended for police, makes it no less heinous. Police officers safeguard our communities every day in the face of this threat and continue to do their utmost to build a safer society.
“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.
“The public will appreciate that we are taking this very seriously and today we have commenced searches, working with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána, to make the area safe and to gather evidence to progress our investigation.
“A number of roads will be closed with traffic diversions in place.
“We will do our utmost to facilitate local residents and minimise any disruption.
“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.”
The Wattlebridge Road and Cavan Road outside Newtownbutler have been closed by police due to an ongoing security alert after a report the CIRA left a device in the area on Wednesday January 13.
Speaking at the weekend, Fermanagh and Omagh District Commander Superintendent Alywin Barton said of the alleged attack on the helicopter that there were "no reports of shots being heard or fired in the area. I can also confirm that no police aircraft sustained any damage".
In response to this, the CIRA issued a further statement to the media giving specific details of the attack and the weapon used.
"Volunteers armed with a high powered Dragunov Russian assault rifle were waiting to carry out an ambush on police personnel that were to attend a hoax bomb warning call for the Wattlebridge Road," it said.
"The hoax is still behind a bus shelter at the Cavan/Clones crossroads. The PSNI Crown forces have yet to come back into the area since the helicopter attack, sending helicopters and planes to the area.
"If they were to go to the Drumcrin Road they will find the spent bullet casings from the attack on a layby."
The statement went on to give specific details of the location of the shooting and warned of further attacks.
