Praise for ‘courageous’ actions of van ram police officers

Police Federation chair Mark Lindsay said the officers had their lives put at risk as they investigated a van travelling on Finnegans Road in Jonesborough.

The PSNI has reported that two officers were injured when the driver of a Ford Transit van rammed their patrol vehicle off the road shortly before midnight.

The officers on patrol had been alerted to the manner in which as silver-coloured Ford Transit van was being driven.

The van driver is then said to have rammed the police vehicle, forcing it off the road, around 11.45pm.

The PSNI said that a second police vehicle was struck – lifting it off the ground – as officers attempted to stop the Transit van farther along Finnegans Road as it continued on from the scene of the ramming incident,

Two more officers are reported to have been injured as a result of the second collision.

Mr Lindsay said: “I want to condemn the reckless actions that led to four officers being injured in south Armagh last night. There is no excuse for putting officer lives at risk as they work to protect communities.

“The officers are to be commended for the courageous actions they took. We wish them a speedy recovery.”

Finnegans Road runs between Church Hill, Jonesborough and the Drumintee Road/Newry Road near Forkill.

The driver of the van, a 31-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of several offences, including handling stolen goods, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and driving without insurance.

District Commander of Newry, Mourne and Down, Superintendent Jane Humphries, said: “Unfortunately, due to the nature of the injuries sustained by our officers, they have been unable to return to duty today.

“We have also had to take two police vehicles off the road so they can be examined for road worthiness, which affects our service delivery. There is also the impact in terms of our officers and their welfare, as well as the cost of repairs to the vehicles, which is substantial.”

Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference CW 2343 17/08/20

Newry & Armagh DUP MLA William Irwin said: “This represents a shocking attack on PSNI officers in the Jonesborough area and I want to wish all those officers injured as a result of this incident a speedy recovery.”

He added: “It is unacceptable that Police officers going about their legal duties have had their vehicles rammed and it clearly shows an intent to cause harm to the officers.

“I trust that those behind this incident will face the full rigour of the law.”