local community was “in shock” after the “violent murder”.
“This is a quiet, settled village and people are appalled that violence has been brought on to their streets,”
she said. ”I would appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area at around 10pm this
evening to come forward and assist police with their investigation.” It is believed that the victim was a
loyalist.
The shooting came less than 24-hours after a bomb exploded in County Fermanagh. Police said Army
bomb-disposal officers and police had searched the area over the weekend after receiving reports of a
suspect device in Wattle Bridge, close to Newtownbutler and the border with the Republic of Ireland.
That item was ultimately declared a hoax, but another device exploded close-by when the bomb-disposal
team attended to review the scene.
The PSNI said it appeared to be a deliberate attempt to lure officers to the area to be murdered.
“Although this device was intended to kill police and army personnel the fact that it was placed on a main
road the result could well have been devastating for anyone in the immediate vicinity,” said deputy chief
constable Stephen Martin.
“This attack was indiscriminate and reckless and, whilst there is no doubt in my mind that police
responding to this call were the target, the reality is that anyone could have been caught up in the
explosion. We are extremely fortunate that the actions of officers who were first on scene meant that there
was not serious injury or death.”