Rosslea police station attacked by republican youths

A police station in County Fermanagh was attacked by a crowd of republican youths on Sunday afternoon.

Around 50 masked youths attacked the police station and caused damage to the exterior of the building. Police said that there had been no injuries during the attack.

Ulster Unionist Party MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Sam Foster said that young republicans had been responsible for the attack and criticised earlier comments made by MP for the area Michelle Gildernew of Sinn Féin.

Mr Foster questioned just how hypocritical Sinn Féin could be: "Michelle Gildernew has made no apology for the actions of these younger members of her party on a day when Gerry Adams is talking to Bertie Ahern about violence."

Mr Foster described the attack as "despicable and totally unacceptable," he added that it was a further demonstration that Sinn Féin could not truly commit to peace.

"I was amazed that she made no effort to condemn those who openly broke the law in what was a carefully orchestrated attack. These young people were led by four adults who supervised the attack and subsequently called it off after 15 minutes."

He called on Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams to either get a grip on his own supporters or to admit that he had lost the ability to keep them in check.

Earlier the Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew said the attack had been a result what she described as "heavy security" in the area.

Speaking in a BBC Radio Ulster interview she said the attack was a result of young people in the area who were "venting their anger".

She said: "If Rosslea barracks wasn't there, if those cameras weren't there, then this would not have happened."

However, Mr Foster said: "Police in Fermanagh and South Tyrone are endeavouring to carry out their duties responsibly but coming under attack does nothing for the peace and reconciliation which Sinn Féin have been preaching since they signed the Belfast Agreement."

Mr Adams is in talks with the Irish Taoiseach today about the state of the peace process.

(SP)