Dissident Republicans who claim to have shot at a police helicopter during a security alert in the Newtownbutler area on January 14 may have attacked a civilian helicopter, says the PSNI South Area Commander.

South Area Commander Chief Superintendent Andy Freeburn confirmed on Tuesday, January 19 that that there was no police service helicopter deployed in the Wattlebridge area on January 14, following claims from the Continuity IRA (CIRA) that shots had been fired at a police helicopter. It later came to light that there was a private helicopter travelling in the area on that day and if claims from CIRA are true, they may have opened fire at a civilian aircraft.

Chief Superintendent Freeburn said: "Following extensive enquiries, the PSNI have established that a private helicopter was travelling through the area on Thursday.

“If there is any truth to the claims from dissident Republicans, we believe that this civilian helicopter is the aircraft that they shot at.

"Fortunately, the helicopter did not sustain any damage, and its occupant was unaware of any shots being fired."

Although no police service helicopter was deployed in the area on January 14, Chief Superintendent Freeburn explained that a fixed-wing aircraft was deployed to conduct searches on this day.

The security alert was raised on January 13 as police in Fermanagh commenced a search operation in response to a report that persons purporting to represent the Continuity IRA (CIRA) left a suspicious device in the Wattlebridge Road area of Newtownbutler.

This report was followed by a further claim from dissident Republicans that they had fired shots at a police helicopter in the area on Thursday, January 14.

Chief Superintendent Freeburn stated that those involved have shown their "absolute disregard" for the lives of ordinary people.

"The fact that this alleged attack was intended for police makes it no less heinous. Police officers safeguard our communities every day in the face of this threat and continue to do their utmost to build a safer society. We can all show our contempt for such senseless attacks by standing together and working in partnership to find those responsible."

He added: “The public will appreciate that we are taking this very seriously and today we have commenced searches, working with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána, to make the area safe and to gather evidence to progress our investigation."

First Minister Arlene Foster has condemned those responsible for the bomb alert and terrorist related activity within the Newtownbutler area.

Mrs. Foster said: “Terrorism is not how to move society forward. Terrorism is never the answer. This activity should not be a part of society. It has no support from the majority of people who live here. Those involved are within a minority, intent on fear, disruption and putting lives at risk. Their actions are abhorrent.

"I want to thank our PSNI officers dealing with this incident and vigilant residents in the area, who have been concerned.”

Sinn Fein MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Seán Lynch called for the dissident Republicans responsible for the security alert to "desist from their actions". Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Mr. Lynch said: "These types of actions no way advances any calls towards an All-Ireland. There is a democratic and peaceful pathway forward to achieving the objectives of an All-Ireland which have been laid down in the Good Friday Agreement. I would say that these type of actions in the Newtownbutler area are counter productive and I would ask them to desist from their actions because they have no public support. Particularly it brings disruption to people’s lives in the midst of a pandemic.”

As of Wednesday, January 20, the security alert on the Fermanagh-Cavan Border is ongoing and the Cavan Road and Wattlebridge Road remain closed.