22 February 2023 , 21:23
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A senior police officer has been shot multiple times in front of young people at a sports centre by masked men in Northern Ireland.
Politicians including the UK prime minister and the Irish Taoiseach have condemned the "grotesque" attack.
The officer was shot at while coaching a youth football team in Omagh at around 8pm and taken to Altnagelvin Hospital where Northern Ireland's chief constable Simon Byrne said he was in a 'critical but stable' condition.
The gunmen are believed to have fled across the Irish border following the attack, prompting Irish police to "intensify patrolling" in border counties.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have launched an attempted murder investigation.
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Temporary detective chief superintendent Eamonn Corrigan said: "Our investigation is now underway and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and witnessed what happened or could help with our enquiries to make contact with police on 101."
He added: "We will relentlessly pursue those responsible."
Police officers at the scene of the shooting in Omagh, Northern IrelandPrime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "I am appalled by the disgraceful shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh tonight. My thoughts are with the officer and his family. There is no place in our society for those who seek to harm public servants protecting communities."
Irish premier Leo Varadkar also condemned the "grotesque attempted murder" of a police officer in Northern Ireland.
In a statement, the Taoiseach said: "I have heard the terrible news from Omagh about the shooting of an off-duty PSNI officer tonight. Our thoughts are with the injured officer, his family, colleagues and friends at this difficult time. I utterly condemn this grotesque act of attempted murder. I call on anyone with information about it to share it with the PSNI."
In a statement, Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that a serving police officer had been injured in a shooting at a sports complex.
The force said: "Police are currently at the scene of a shooting in the Killyclogher Road area of Omagh. One man, a serving police officer, has been taken to hospital for treatment after being injured in a shooting incident at a sports complex just before 8pm this evening. More details will be issued when available."
Garda said they are working with the PSNI following the shooting, adding: "An Garda Siochana has intensified patrolling in border counties."
Ulster Unionist Assembly member Tom Elliott said the officer was coaching young people when the attack took place.
The senior officer was attacked while coaching a youth football team, it is understood"My understanding is he was coaching young people at a local sports complex and I think they were nearing the end of the session or maybe at the end of the session and there would obviously have been some of these young people around at that time and I am told that two masked gunmen walked up and shot him a number of times," Mr Elliott told Nolan Live on BBC One NI.
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"To see that happen in front of you for young people is indescribable almost, and I'm sure will have a lasting impact on them. At this stage clearly we're all thinking of this police officer and his immediate family and we're just hoping and praying that the officer will get better."
Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, which represents rank and file officers, branded as "barbaric and cold-blooded" the gun attack in Omagh that has left an officer fighting for his life.
"It's understood two gunmen were involved in the attack. The injured officer was shot a number of times whilst he coached young persons playing football," he said. "This was a callous, cold-blooded and barbaric attempted murder on an off-duty officer.
"The officer is well known and respected in the area and plays an active role in the community. He is also well known within policing circles and is highly regarded by his colleagues. The people who carried out this cowardly and shocking act must be quickly identified and apprehended and I would appeal to the community to assist the police in whatever way they can.
"My thoughts, and those of all police officers, are with our colleague and his family. The police family is strong and resilient, and we'll be there for him and his family in this dreadful hour of need."
A police cordon at the sports complex this eveningSinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill described the shooting as "reprehensible".
She tweeted: "Terrible news this evening of an off-duty police officer being shot in Kilyclogher, Omagh. This is an outrageous and shameful attack. My immediate thoughts are with the officer and his family. I unreservedly condemn this reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer."
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson denounced the shooting, saying: "These terrorists must be brought to justice".
He wrote: "Terrible news from Omagh tonight. Our heart goes out to the family of this courageous police officer and to his colleagues. We condemn outright the cowards responsible for this. These terrorists have nothing to offer and they must be brought to justice. We stand with the PSNI."
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris also condemned the shooting, saying: "I am aware of the shocking incident in Omagh tonight and am being kept up to date.
"My immediate thoughts are with the PSNI officer and his family. Those responsible for such horror must be brought to justice."
And the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, which represents rank and file officers, tweeted: "We totally condemn this appalling & barbaric act of violence on an off-duty officer in Omagh.
"Our thoughts are with our colleague & his family. These gunmen offer nothing to society. Anyone with info should come forward."
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said he would be speaking to the PSNI Chief Constable Byrne in the days ahead following the shooting of a police officer in Co Tyrone.
He said: "That an attack like this took place in Omagh, a place that bears the scars of violence more than many others but where people have shown immense strength, compassion and grace, must make this a powerful moment of reflection for all of us.
"This is a moment to rededicate ourselves to the primacy of peace and resistance against violence. It is a moment for us all, one community and one people, to say we are never going back to this - not in our name.
"I will be speaking to the Chief Constable and the Secretary of State about this attack in the days ahead. But, for now, my thoughts remain with an officer who was serving his community and I hope that he makes a recovery."