Real IRA claims latest barracks gun attack
Thursday, 4 February 2010
THE Real IRA has claimed responsibility for the gun attack on Bessbrook police station on Sunday evening.
The barracks came under fire by a lone gunman, who shot some 30 rounds from an automatic weapon at the base at around 9pm.
The person then made their escape in a waiting getaway car in the direction of Convent Hill.
This is the third attack on police stations in south Armagh in less than a month. The Crossmaglen station has been targeted twice in recent weeks and, Dissident Republicans are being blamed for the shootings there.
Afterwards a number of local politicians widely condemned the atrocity.
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy said: "It was an attempt by a tiny group, with no support in this area, to make themselves relevant at the expense of the local community.
“Those responsible want to see the British Army back in South Armagh. Our community does not want this. This group will not succeed in dragging us back to the dark days," he added.
DUP Assembly member, William Irwin, was equally outraged at the incident, branding the culprits "thugs".
“It is reckless behaviour in the extreme, given that the station is located in a village, anyone could have been injured in this attack, it is a shocking incident.
“I am thankful that no one was injured in the attack, given these thugs seem intent on killing someone," he stressed.
Ulster Unionist Assembly member Cllr Danny Kennedy MLA said the shooting was a "cowardly and an utterly reckless incident."
The politician, who visited the scene shortly after the event, continued: "There is no doubt that the weapon used in this incident was a high velocity gun and highlights the extent of the capability and threat posed by dissident Republicans."
Mr Kennedy believed the decision to close the barracks should be reviewed as a matter of urgency to ensure that people in the village of Bessbrook did not feel "abandoned" by the PSNI.
Mr Willie Frazer, director of victim's group FAIR (Families Acting for Innocent Relatives) blamed a lack of police manpower for the shooting.
He stated: "This is no reflection on the policemen on the ground, who are only operating within the capacity that they have.
“However, the area commander and other individuals outside this district, who are making policing decisions, must bear some responsibility for this obvious lack of capacity. The policy of non-confrontational policing and the serious lack of manpower have rendered police incapable of dealing with anything other than local petty crime.
“In the history of the troubles, it is difficult to remember any situations where gunmen were able to repeatedly empty rifle magazines into police stations, make their getaway and not have any reason to fear they would be pursued.
“We need decisive action to be taken and we need local police to obtain the support and backup that they need to deal with the current threat," Mr Frazer concluded.
Police investigating the shooting are keen to speak to the driver of a vehicle who was travelling on Convent Hill in the direction of Bessbrook village, adjacent to the police station at around 9.10pm. Anyone with information can contact officers on 0845 600 8000
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