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13:02 GMT, Thursday, 23 October 2008 14:02 UK

Girl 'terrified' by bus hijacking

Burned out bus

A 15-year-old girl has described the "terrifying" moment a bus was hijacked in County Armagh on Wednesday night.

It happened during trouble in Craigavon when petrol bombs and stones were thrown at police.

"These men told everyone to get off, they were carrying pipes and had petrol, they had their faces covered. It was terrifying", said the girl.

A van was also hijacked on the Old Portadown Road and a fire came under attack on Brownlow Road.

The police have denied a claim by Sinn Fein that they are protecting informers involved in the trouble.

Sinn Fein MLA John O'Dowd said there was "a suggestion in the community that some of them may be involved at some level as informers or agents".

Refuting the claim, Superintendent Alan McCrum said "nobody is above the law and the police are not protecting informers."

"Police in Craigavon are seeking to work with the community to get enough evidence to bring people before the courts," he said.

Several roads that were closed because of the trouble have been reopened.

There were no reports of any injuries.

The DUP MP, David Simpson, said it was an attempt "to lure" police to an ambush.

Ulster Unionist MLA George Savage said the incidents "tarnished" the area's good reputation.



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