In the wake of the attempted murder of an off duty police officer in Kesh last week, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is to write to the Chief Constable of the PSNI, Simon Byrne, to ask him to “provide an update on the resource challenges” in the Fermanagh and Omagh district.

The incident was raised during urgent matters at a full meeting of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council held at the Townhall in Enniskillen on Tuesday night.

The proposal was made by DUP Erne North Councillor, Deborah Erskine who also called for the Council’s condemnation of the attack to be included in the letter to the Chief Constable.

The proposal was seconded by UUP Erne North Councillor Diana Armstrong and passed unanimously.

Both Councillor Erskine and Armstrong spoke about concerns in the Erne North area due to an increase in burglaries and anti-social behaviour.

Speaking on the attempted murder of the police officer Councillor Armstrong said: “Nobody wants to return to a time when we are worried about noises outside of our homes at night. To go there in the dead of night with a shotgun is the sort of thing that has to be condemned by all in the chamber.”

Councillor Erskine had initially raised the matter and spoke about the “harm and destruction” that the perpetrators had in their minds when the attack was carried out.

“I’m sure we are all aware of the horrendous attack on a serving police officer in Kesh. It was despicable and it has left a community in shock and very angry with what has happened,” she said.

“The actions of those that have carried out this attack are in stark contrast to the police officer who day and daily goes out to protect the community. The individuals who planned and carried out this obviously had harm and destruction on their mind. I call on us all collectively to condemn this attack and that we offer support to police officers in our district,” Councillor Erskine added.

The Erne North Councillor then called for the Council to write to the police constable to ask him to “provide an update on the resource challenges” faced by the district and to put on record the Council’s condemnation of the attack.