22/11/2002

Police suspect republican involvement in bar blaze

Police suspect republican paramilitaries were behind an arson attack on a bar in Co Tyrone on Thursday night.

A gang of men, who entered Katy Daly's bar in Strabane at around 8.30pm on Thursday evening, told customers to leave before they dowsed the interior of the pub with what was thought to be petrol and set it alight.

The resulting fire caused extensive damage to the interior of the bar.

Superintendent Clifford Best said: "We have heard some speculation around the town that there was paramilitary involvement in the attack.

"Some sort of assaults have taken place over several weekends around these premises and that people were coming back here to retaliate.

"However, that is only speculation at this stage, but it is part of our investigation."

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 November 2024
Police Appeal Following Burglary In Ahoghill
Detectives are appealing for information following a report of a burglary in Ahoghill on Tuesday, 12th November. Police received a report that the back door of a house on the Ballymena Road was forced open shortly before 6pm.
01 October 2010
Fit-Out Firm Wins Industry Accolades
A Co Antrim based fit-out firm has scooped two coveted UK industry awards. McCue Interior Fit-Out Solutions, Carrickfergus, won both the Retail Week 'Store Fit-Out Company of the Year' Award for its overall performance and the individual 'Shopfitting Excellence' Award, for its work with client Urban Outfitters, at its Liverpool store.
24 October 2001
Rescue bid mounted for Ulster Aerospace firm
A rescue bid to save the troubled aerospace plant run by B/E Aerospace and 320 jobs in Kilkeel has been put together by trade groups in Northern Ireland.
06 June 2006
Two arrested in connection with 1994 murders
Two people have today been arrested in connection with the murder of six men in County Down in 1994. The man and the woman were arrested in the greater Belfast area this morning and are currently being held for questioning at the serious crime suite in Antrim.
02 September 2003
Loyalists linked to guns and ammunition find
Guns and ammunition, thought to be the property of loyalist paramilitaries, have been uncovered by police in Co Antrim. The discovery of a shotgun, cartridges and two handgun magazines were made following the search of a derelict house in the Ballee area of Ballymena on Monday.