Craigavon Disturbances Follow Murder Arrests

Following claims by the dissident republican group, the Continuity IRA, that it murdered Constable Stephen Paul Carroll in Co Armagh on Monday, arrests have been made.

Two people, aged 17 and 37, have been held in connection with the murder of the first PSNI officer event to die in such circumstances.

He was shot and killed as he answered a distress call at Lismore Manor, Craigavon.

The incident occurred just two days after the other dissident group, the Real IRA murdered two soldiers in Antrim.

Meanwhile, there have been minor disturbances in Craigavon last night and wheelie bins set on fire after police raided homes near the scene of the killing.

Police said they were monitoring the situation and advised drivers to avoid the Ardowen area of Craigavon.

Constable Carroll, 48, a married man, with children from Banbridge, Co Down, died when police were attacked as they responded to a woman's call for help.

Constable Carroll was shot through the rear window of his police car when he arrived at the scene at about 9.45pm on Monday.

At the time, police said they were looking for a man in a light-coloured top who was seen running from the area after the shooting.

At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Chief Superintendent Alan Todd said the constable had given 23 years of service to the community, working with the police service.

(BMcC/JM)