A police officer has been taken to hospital following a shooting in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
Police have confirmed that a man, a serving police officer, was injured in a shooting incident at a sports complex in Omagh just before 8pm on Wednesday.
It is understood the officer had been coaching a youth football team when the incident happened.
He has been taken to hospital in Londonderry for treatment.
In a statement on Wednesday night, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said officers remained at the scene of the 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,” the force said.
“More details will be issued when available.”
Police statement regarding the shooting in Omagh this evening. pic.twitter.com/qVLC0OvZQb
— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) February 22, 2023
Irish police have confirmed they are also investigating.
In a statement, the Garda said it is “currently responding to an ongoing incident which took place earlier this evening in Northern Ireland”.
“We are working closely in cooperation with our counterparts in the PSNI,” a spokesperson said. “An Garda Siochana has no further comment at this time.”
Ulster Unionist Party MLA Tom Elliott indicated the officer was shot in front of young people at a football coaching session.
“Despicable, cowardly action. No place in society for this,” he tweeted
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call at 8.02pm following reports of an incident in the Slievard area of Killyclogher.
“NIAS dispatched a Rapid Response Paramedician Emergency Crew and an ambulance officer to the incident,” a spokesperson said.
Terrible news of a police officer being shot in Omagh this evening.
— Tom Elliott MLA (@TB_Elliott) February 22, 2023
Shot in front of young people at football coaching session.
Despicable, cowardly action.
No place in society for this.
“Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was taken by ambulance to Altnagelvin Area Hospital.”
“Despicable, cowardly action. No place in society for this,” he tweeted.
The shooting has been condemned by politicians across the UK and Ireland.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said those responsible must be brought to justice.
“I am aware of the shocking incident in Omagh tonight and am being kept up to date,” he said.
“My immediate thoughts are with the PSNI officer and his family.
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. https://t.co/1UV9Tp8OV9
— Chris Heaton-Harris MP (@chhcalling) February 22, 2023
“Those responsible for such horror must be brought to justice.”
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Colum Eastwood described the shooting of a police officer as a “chilling attack”.
He said he would be speaking to PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne about the incident.
“My thoughts and the thoughts of my SDLP colleagues are with the man and with the paramedics, doctors, nurses and police colleagues looking after him at this time,” Mr Eastwood said.
“In the face of appalling violence that has no place in modern Ireland, their bravery and selfless dedication to service is an enduring reminder that for every individual determined to tear us apart, there are hundreds more committed to defending our peace and all those who live under it.”
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson also condemned the attack.
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. https://t.co/2nvmxmPu4j
— Jeffrey Donaldson MP (@J_Donaldson_MP) February 22, 2023
“Terrible news from Omagh tonight,” he tweeted.
“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.”
Former Stormont justice minister Naomi Long also said her thoughts were with the officer, his family, colleagues and all those affected by the shooting.
She branded the attack an “evil act of cowardice”.
