Constable was part of tactical support to protect officers

SLAIN PSNI constable Stephen Carroll was only at the scene on Monday night because police were trying to offer extra protection to local officers in light of heightened tensions caused by the shooting of two army officers two nights earlier.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland last night confirmed the 48-year-old English-born constable, who had lived in Kildare for a number of years, was part of a tactical support group who travelled to the call-out in Craigavon to provide protection to officers.

Chief Supt Alan Todd said at about 9.45pm, police responded to a call for assistance from a resident in Lismore Manor in Craigavon. A brick had been thrown through the window of her home and she wanted help.

“Police responded to the call but, because of a heightened threat in the area, officers from the local station in Lurgan were accompanied by colleagues from a tactical support group (TSG) which provides specialist back-up in potentially difficult or dangerous situations.

“As local officers went to call at the house with the broken window, their back-up colleagues were in an accompanying police vehicle. Two shots were fired, one of which hit TSG officer Constable Carroll in the head as he sat in the driver’s seat. Tragically, he died as a result of his injuries.”

He said Constable Carroll had been a police officer for 23 years. He was born in Epping, but had spent part of his life in Kildare. He was married with a grown-up son and three grandchildren.

“His death is a tragedy for his family and a terrible loss for the police service,” said the chief superintendent.

“I would appeal to people who live in the area or travel through the area, I have a specific appeal about a man in a light-coloured top seen running away from the scene. We need to identify him. It is of the utmost importance to our enquiry.

“I say to you in the most honest and open terms — my colleagues have chosen to protect lives in the community by serving in the police, just like Stephen Carroll did. By bringing information to us, you can do the same. That is in all our interests — every single one of us.”