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Army help foil police murder bid Army help foil police murder bid
(39 minutes later)
It has emerged that members of the Army's Special Reconnaissance Regiment were involved in preventing an attack on a police officer at the weekend.It has emerged that members of the Army's Special Reconnaissance Regiment were involved in preventing an attack on a police officer at the weekend.
It is understood soldiers from the elite regiment had monitored the movements of those involved in the Fermanagh attack for a number of days.It is understood soldiers from the elite regiment had monitored the movements of those involved in the Fermanagh attack for a number of days.
One shot was fired at undercover police in the village of Garrison on Saturday.One shot was fired at undercover police in the village of Garrison on Saturday.
Police fired two shots in return but nobody was hurt. Five people are being questioned about the attack.Police fired two shots in return but nobody was hurt. Five people are being questioned about the attack.
It is believed dissident republicans were targeting a Catholic man who joined the PSNI a few weeks ago and travelled back to the village at weekends to visit his girlfriend.It is believed dissident republicans were targeting a Catholic man who joined the PSNI a few weeks ago and travelled back to the village at weekends to visit his girlfriend.
PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott has refused to be drawn on whether the military assisted undercover police in foiling the attack.PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott has refused to be drawn on whether the military assisted undercover police in foiling the attack.
However, the BBC understands that the Special Reconnaisance Regiment provided the initial information that the officer was being targeted.However, the BBC understands that the Special Reconnaisance Regiment provided the initial information that the officer was being targeted.
TrackingTracking
Undercover soldiers were then involved in tracking and watching those allegedly involved in the murder attempt for a number of days.Undercover soldiers were then involved in tracking and watching those allegedly involved in the murder attempt for a number of days.
In March the BBC revealed that members of the regiment had been brought into Northern Ireland at the request of the PSNI to help combat the growing dissident threat.In March the BBC revealed that members of the regiment had been brought into Northern Ireland at the request of the PSNI to help combat the growing dissident threat.
Growing threat from dissident republicans
They have been particularly active in County Fermanagh because it was considered to be an area where the threat to police officers was highest.They have been particularly active in County Fermanagh because it was considered to be an area where the threat to police officers was highest.
Dissidents are also believed to be responsible for leaving a 400lb bomb at the Policing Board headquarters in Belfast on Saturday.Dissidents are also believed to be responsible for leaving a 400lb bomb at the Policing Board headquarters in Belfast on Saturday.
Police say the two attacks were not co-ordinated but the result of coincidence rather than planning.Police say the two attacks were not co-ordinated but the result of coincidence rather than planning.
The detonator went off in a car but the bomb failed to explode in BelfastThe detonator went off in a car but the bomb failed to explode in Belfast
Local people reported a large police presence in the village and the surrounding area immediately after the attack. It is also reported that a car was rammed by a police vehicle.Local people reported a large police presence in the village and the surrounding area immediately after the attack. It is also reported that a car was rammed by a police vehicle.
'Murderous intent''Murderous intent'
Police in Northern Ireland are questioning four men arrested shortly after the shooting. Irish police are holding a fifth man who was arrested in Dooard, County Leitrim.Police in Northern Ireland are questioning four men arrested shortly after the shooting. Irish police are holding a fifth man who was arrested in Dooard, County Leitrim.
Northern Ireland Security Minister Paul Goggins said: "The people who planned and carried out these attacks are wrongheaded, criminal people with murderous intent.Northern Ireland Security Minister Paul Goggins said: "The people who planned and carried out these attacks are wrongheaded, criminal people with murderous intent.
"The message to them is they will not succeed.""The message to them is they will not succeed."
Politicians have called for tighter security measures to protect Policing Board members and staff after the attempted bomb attack in Belfast on Saturday.Politicians have called for tighter security measures to protect Policing Board members and staff after the attempted bomb attack in Belfast on Saturday.
Two men crashed a car through the security barrier at the Clarendon Dock complex at 1900 GMT and abandoned the bomb in front of the board headquarters.Two men crashed a car through the security barrier at the Clarendon Dock complex at 1900 GMT and abandoned the bomb in front of the board headquarters.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
It is thought that only the detonator went off and no-one was hurt.It is thought that only the detonator went off and no-one was hurt.
Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly said huge damage could have been caused.Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly said huge damage could have been caused.
"We're very very lucky that it only partially exploded," he said."We're very very lucky that it only partially exploded," he said.
"We could have been looking at heavy casualties."We could have been looking at heavy casualties.
"It's ironic that they should choose to attack the Policing Board, which is the very accountability mechanism which was negotiated and set up to keep the police to account - which means that it really is an attack on the community.""It's ironic that they should choose to attack the Policing Board, which is the very accountability mechanism which was negotiated and set up to keep the police to account - which means that it really is an attack on the community."
'Calculated''Calculated'
SDLP Policing Board member Alex Attwood said the level of threat was worrying.SDLP Policing Board member Alex Attwood said the level of threat was worrying.
"There is a higher level of threat. All the evidence over the last number of months confirms that this appears to be growing," he said."There is a higher level of threat. All the evidence over the last number of months confirms that this appears to be growing," he said.
A car, thought to have been used in the bomb attack, was found burned outA car, thought to have been used in the bomb attack, was found burned out
Ulster Unionist policing spokesperson, Basil McCrea said the attacks were "calculated and callous".Ulster Unionist policing spokesperson, Basil McCrea said the attacks were "calculated and callous".
Earlier this month, the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) reported that the dissident republican threat in Northern Ireland was at its highest level for almost six years.Earlier this month, the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) reported that the dissident republican threat in Northern Ireland was at its highest level for almost six years.
The IMC said the two main dissident republican groups, the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA, were working more closely together to increase the threat posed to security forces.The IMC said the two main dissident republican groups, the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA, were working more closely together to increase the threat posed to security forces.
Last week, police in Armagh found a mortar bomb which, they said, was intended to kill police officers.Last week, police in Armagh found a mortar bomb which, they said, was intended to kill police officers.