Gun attack linked to dissidents
Dissident republicans are being blamed for a gun attack on a police patrol in Craigavon.
A number of cars have been burnt out during trouble in Craigavon
Four to five shots were heard after the patrol saw a man in a crouching position aiming at them with a “long-barrelled weapon”, police said.
No-one was injured in the attack in the Brownlow Road area, which happened shortly before 2000 BST on Tuesday.
Later, stones were thrown at SDLP assembly member Dolores Kelly after she spoke out against the violence.
“I had been on the news condemning the attacks on police officers,” she said.
“There is no doubt in my mind that it was specifically me who was attacked and targeted because they waited until I had walked away until I came under attack.”
Mrs Kelly’s car windscreen was smashed and she suffered a minor leg injury.
But she said it would not stop her speaking out against attacks on the police.
Police Deputy District Commander Superintendent Alan McCrum said the gun attack was “a deliberate attempt to murder officers”.
“This takes today’s events to another level,” he said.
“However, police will continue in their efforts to bring calm to the area despite these attacks on them.”
Earlier on Tuesday, at least one blast bomb, as well as bottles, stones and petrol bombs were thrown at police in the town investigating a security alert.
That trouble happened in the Tullygally and Drumbeg areas.
No-one was injured, but a number of vehicles were burnt out and several police vehicles damaged.
A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of hijacking. The alert followed a telephoned bomb warning on Monday. Nothing was found.
Motorists have been warned to avoid the area.
Burnt barrels and other debris
The trouble took place in the Tullygally and Drumbeg areas
Local politicians have condemned the violence.
Sinn Fein assembly member John O’Dowd blamed the trouble on dissident republicans.
“I would appeal to everyone involved in the trouble to stop it now before someone is either injured or killed,” he said.
“This is not a game, this is not fun, what we’ve seen tonight is actually attempted murder. Please stop it now before someone is killed.”
'So venceremos, beidh bua againn eigin lá eigin. Sealadaigh abú.'
--Bobby Sands