Ex-Policeman Dies In Co Antrim Gun Incident

A former police officer has died from gunshot wounds in a Co Antrim incident that "was not terrorist-related".

None of the shots were fired by police officers, according to a PSNI statement.

However, the police are investigating a possible link between an earlier Ballymena bank robbery and the apparent suicide of father-of-two Edward Richard Hanley, 37.

Police said an undisclosed sum of cash was stolen during the robbery at a Northern bank on Larne Road in the Ballymena shortly before 10am on Wednesday.

Just over an hour later a man was fatally injured in a firearms incident after police traced a car to the town's Loughan Hill Park.

"We can confirm that we are investigating a possible link between the armed robbery that occurred at Larne Road and the firearms incident that occurred in the Loughan Hill area of Ballymena," a PSNI spokeswoman said.

"Despite the best efforts of police and paramedics, the man died at the scene."

"Police inquiries are at an early stage and are continuing. We would appeal for information or for anyone who saw the robbery to contact police."

The former police officer, who is believed to have retired on medical grounds from the police in 2006, was found close to his home by officers investigating the bank robbery.

Another man was arrested shortly after the robbery.

The PSNI spokesman said: "One man has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently assisting police with their enquiries."

As is standard practice in cases involving the police and firearms, the Police Ombudsman has been informed of the incident.

A spokesman said: "We have been at the scene all afternoon and all evening and investigations are continuing."

(BMcC/JM)