Dissident republicans blamed for Derry shooting
Dissident republicans have been blamed after a police officer was blasted with a shotgun outside a school in the North today.
He was ambushed at Bishop St, near the centre of Derry when he pulled up in his car as hundreds of pupils arrived for classes.
The officer, a Catholic aged 43, managed to drive off however and was later treated for injuries to his face and arm. Police said they were not life-threatening, but described his condition as "serious".
The incident has shocked politicians on all sides, including Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness, deputy First Minister at the Northern Assembly.
He said: "The war is over and it's time these people woke up to that reality. They are attempting to plunge our society back into conflict."
Terry Spence, chairman of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said the shooting was a wake-up call for their personal security, especially recent recruits.
He added: "But it is also a wake-up call to the community to recognise that a more peaceful Northern Ireland has yet to benefit everyone. Times may have moved on but clearly some people remain trapped in the past.
"I am confident that officers will not allow themselves to be intimidated out of the service by such personal and cowardly targeting."
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern condemned the shooting as cowardly and called for full public co-operation in the police investigation.
"This attack, outside a school on a busy morning, shows a particularly vicious disregard for the lives of children and their parents," he said.
"The perpetrators represent no-one. They have no agenda except destruction and a return to conflict."
SDLP leader Mark Durkan, in whose constituency the attack took place, described it as a "despicable and cowardly act".
The Foyle MP, who is visiting New York, called on all sections of society to support the police officer and his colleagues.
"We had all hoped that the dark days of attacks on policemen had been consigned to history," Mr Durkan said.
"It is important not only that the policeman knows that the whole community stands behind him, but that those responsible for this attack know that they do not have support from the community.
"Dissident republicans have already shown their ability to cause disruption and damage. What we need to see from them now is an ability to move away from violence as the people of Derry want them to."
