14/01/2002

Child hostage rescued by police

Police have rescued a young boy after a 16-hour siege at a house in Castledawson in County Londonderry.

Police officers were called to the Ashbourne estate in the early hours of Sunday January 13 after a man barricaded himself and his four-year-old son into the house.

The siege followed a domestic incident between the man and his wife.

A specially trained police unit eventually stormed the house after lengthy negotiations with the man broke down.

A police spokesperson said that the child was treated for shock but was uninjured.

The police have said one man is assisting them with their enquiries.

Police Superintendent Terry Shevlin said the rescue operation had involved a very large number of officers. He said that despite negotiations the situation soon developed into a 16-hour hostage-type situation, which finally resulted in officers forcibly entering the house. (AMcE)

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