Write a commentSix PSNI officers have been injured and several police vehicles rammed following two incidents in the early hours of Sunday morning, 18th December.
The first incident occurred at around 3.30am in Crossmaglen. PSNI officers working in partnership with Garda officers had been alerted to a vehicle which had crossed the border and made its way to Crossmaglen. The white Citroen Berlingo van was located in the Lismore area by police but before the driver could be spoken to, the police vehicle was rammed along with a taxi bus before the van made off from the area. Two officers were injured as a result of the incident.
The second incident took place shortly after 5am, also in Crossmaglen, and involved two further police vehicles which were providing assistance to officers carrying out enquiries into the earlier incident at Lismore. A dark coloured Audi A6, which was travelling on the Dundalk Road towards Crossmaglen, rammed two police cars after being signalled to stop, before making off. Four officers were left injured following this incident.
Commenting on the incidents Sergeant Sam Hoey said: “ Following these two incidents we now have six officers, who were out working to keep the people of South Armagh safe, off work with their injuries and three police vehicles off the road. We are appealing to anyone with any information which could assist us to trace the drivers of these vehicles to contact police in Ardmore on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
MLA Megan Fearon has condemned the incidents in a statement “If officers have difficulty carrying out their job because of these type of assaults then it is the public who suffer and are put at risk. This community does not wish to see this type of situation. The Police Service should be allowed to serve the community and to investigate crime without the fear of being attacked, Sinn Féin absolutely condemn any such behaviour towards the police and anyone with information should contact the PSNI"
