Masked youths attack police station

Rosslea police station was targeted by youths

A police station in County Fermanagh has been damaged in an attack by a crowd of youths.

Up to 50 masked youths threw stones and bottles at Rosslea station at lunchtime on Sunday.

The police said there were no injuries, but extensive damage was caused to the outside of the building as a result of the attack which began at 1245 BST.

The British Government is really going to have to stand up to republican disorder

Arlene Foster

A spokesman for the police service said the incident coincided with a visit to the area by Sinn Fein's youth wing.

Local police commander Chief Superintendent Gerry O'Callaghan said he could see no gain in carrying out the attack.

"This incident added nothing to the debate on the future of community policing and the potential closure of community stations," he said.

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Ulster Unionist honorary secretary Arlene Foster, who lives in Fermanagh, called on Sinn Fein representatives in the area to condemn the violence.

"I think it is more than a coincidence that an attack has taken place on Rosslea Police Station at the same time that the Sinn Fein youth group was visiting," she said.

"I think we were lucky that no-one was injured but I have to say this sort of incident is in keeping with what is going on in the streets of Belfast.

"The time is coming when the British Government is really going to have to stand up to republican disorder on our streets by tackling Sinn Fein."

Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh-South Tyrone, Michelle Gildernew, said: "This is how young people in the area feel about policing."

She added: "You have to understand where these young people are coming from."

The MP said while there was a new badge and uniform for the PSNI, republicans felt the service retained the tactics of the RUC.