by Joanne Ross
A GUN attack on Bessbrook Police Station was a serious attempt to murder officers.
That’s according a senior police chief who was speaking after a car pulled up to the station gates on Sunday night and fired a volley of shots from two automatic weapons.
Upwards of 20 bullets penetrated the gates of the station, resulting in no injuries, and the getaway vehicle sped off toward Convent Hill at around 9.20pm.
The station, earmarked for closure by the Policing Board, is nestled in a residential area and inspector David Beck, sector commander for south Armagh, believes it was a real attempt to kill or injure both civilians and police.
“This attack was not only an attempt to kill officers who are serving the local community but also a reckless attack on each and every resident of the Bessbrook area,” he said.
“Despite this incident and the previous attacks on my officers at Crossmaglen, we will continue to provide a policing service to the community in south Armagh.”
Meanwhile, the Convent Road was closed for a time yesterday morning (Monday) and armed police could be seen at the station’s gates.
One family living opposite found gun shells scattered in their garden and now fear a return to the “bad old days”.
“It sounded like fireworks but we knew right away what it was,” said the father of the family.
“It’s not the first time the police station has been attacked so living over the road from it you’re on your guard.
“We just hope this isn’t the start of it, it has been peaceful for a while and we don’t want it to go back to how it was.
“The whole thing just happened so quickly. We heard the shots and the screech of tyres it was all over in seconds.”
Bessbrook resident and assembly member Danny Kennedy blamed dissident republicans and expressed concern that guns are in circulation.
“The weapon used was powerful and proves those responsible have the intent and capability to kill,” he said.
“Attacks like this undermine and disappoint residents of Bessbrook and south Armagh who want a peaceful future.”
The Policing Board decided that Bessbrook would be one of 26 stations in the north to close.
There was much Unionist opposition to the plans and councillor Kennedy remains adamant the time is not right to withdraw from the village.
“The station provides much-needed law and order for Bessbrook and south Armagh and I would have significant concerns about its closure,” he said.
“A station provides comfort and reassure to the public.
“Police have always denied it was being phased down and staffing reduced but it’s clear that’s what’s happening.”
Joining political condemnation was Sinn Fein’s Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy.
“It was an attempt by a tiny group with no support in this area to make themselves relevant at the expense of the local community,” he said.
“Those responsible want to see the British Army back in south Armagh. Our community does not want this.
“This group will not succeed in dragging us back to the dark days.”
Newry and Armagh DUP assembly member William Irwin branded the attack as “a chilling reminder of what dissident republicans are capable of”.
Meanwhile, loyalist victim’s campaigner Willie Frazer, of FAIR, questioned how the attack was possible.
“One must bear in mind that this is the station that supplies security to south Armagh, yet it seemed impossible to even secure the front of the PSNI station,” he said.
“The Area Commander and other individuals outside this district, who are making policing decisions, must bear some responsibility for this obvious lack of capacity.”
Meanwhile, inspector Beck has asked to anyone with information to contact police on 0845 600 8000 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 saying: “Every piece of information is vital to us.”