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Agente cattolico ucciso da autobomba ad Omagh

PSNI officer killed in Omagh car bomb

A newly-recruited Catholic PSNI officer has been killed in an under-car bomb attack in Omagh, Co Tyrone

Agente ucciso da autoboba ad Omagh | Police officer killed in OmaghAt this stage, police have confirmed a 25-year-old man died when the booby trap device exploded in the Highfield Close area of Killyclougher on Saturday afternoon.

Residents reported hearing a loud blast as the bomb went off shortly before 4pm.

It is understood an annual half-marathon and charity fun run were also taking place in the town on Saturday.

Political leaders in Northern Ireland and the Republic have spoken out against the bombing.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said: “I want to condemn what happened in Omagh this afternoon.

“I want to send my condolences to his (the officer’s) family at this hugely traumatic time.”

Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliott condemned “the evil and cowardly attack”.

He said: “The callous murder of this young officer will come as a great shock to the local community and my thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time.”

SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie branded those responsible “enemies of Ireland and enemies of peace”.

She added: “Their actions will not untie Ireland but will only unite people in their condemnation of their murder. This has not only stunned the people of Omagh, it has stunned the entire country.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny described the bomb attack as a “heinous and pointless act of terror”.

He said: “Those who carried it out want to drag us back to the misery and pain of the past. They are acting in defiance of the Irish people.

“They must know that they can never succeed in defeating the democratic will of the people.”

Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore added: “Those behind such violence have no mandate and are acting contrary to the democratic will of the people of Ireland, north and south.”

Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said: “This evil and cowardly attack will sicken everyone across Northern Ireland.

“We all deeply mourn the brave young man whose life was taken by this savage crime.”

Crisis talks

PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott is holding crisis talks at police headquarters in Belfast after the bombing.

The timing of the bomb attack, on a Saturday afternoon, echoes the August 1998 atrocity – when 29 people and unborn twins were killed in a Real IRA car bomb.

The officer’s death brings to four the number of security force members to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2009.

In March 2009, Police Constable Stephen Carroll was shot dead as he answered a 999 call in Craigavon.

Just two days earlier, two soldiers – Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar – were gunned down outside their barracks in Antrim, as they collected a pizza delivery.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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