Police in Northern Ireland are investigating the “attempted murder of two officers” following an attack on a PSNI vehicle in Strabane, County Tyrone.
Two officers are understood to have narrowly escaped injury when a patrol car was attacked by “an improvised explosive device” just before 11pm Thursday night.
The PSNI said the investigation is at an early stage and is currently present on a security alert in the Mount Carmel Heights area.
The road is currently closed and motorists are advised to avoid the area.
Speaking during a visit to Newry in County Down, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was awaiting further clarification on what happened, but that any attempt to kill or injure police officers was “absolutely shocking” and must be “condemned in the most comprehensive manner”, reports RTE.
“It is quite shocking, if that is the case, that something like that would happen,” Mr Martin said, reports RTE.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said “those who attack or threaten police officers will not drag us back,” reports RTE.
“We are going forward. Solidarity to the PSNI officers targeted last night, to their families and colleagues,” Ms McDonald posted on Twitter, reports RTE.
SDLP MLA for West Tyrone Daniel McCrossan said people in the area were being severely disrupted this morning.
Up to 600 homes and more than 1,000 people are affected by the alert, he said, as he has seen one of the largest residential areas in the isolated community with motorists urged to avoid the area.
At the moment, no houses have been evacuated.
“More than 1,000 people living in Mount Carmel Heights are experiencing immense disruption this morning as police investigate a security alert in the area. This is one of Strabane’s biggest residential areas and there is currently no way in or out as the scene is cordoned off. Local people have reported hearing a loud bang late last night which police are now investigating,” Mr Crossan said, reports RTE.
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