Three freed over gun attack on PSNI officer

Three men arrested yesterday by detectives investigating a gun attack on an off-duty police officer in Northern Ireland have …

Three men arrested yesterday by detectives investigating a gun attack on an off-duty police officer in Northern Ireland have been released without charge.

Dissident republicans were blamed after the 43-year-old Catholic was ambushed in Bishop Street in Derry city centre last November as children were being dropped off at three nearby schools.

Police today said the three suspects being questioned at Antrim serious crime suite were released without charge.

The policeman, originally from the nationalist Bogside area, sustained shotgun pellet injuries to his arm, shoulder and face as he sat in his car in heavy traffic after dropping his 15-year-old son off at school.

A lone gunman is reported to have approached the car and opened fire, hitting the officer, shortly after the car left Dungannon PSNI station and as it slowed for traffic lights.

The victim was able to drive himself to the city's police headquarters at Strand Road.

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