Man arrested after trying to evade police in a tractor in Fivemiletown

The PSNI say only for the officers' evasive action things could have been much worse
Author: Chris BrennanPublished 24th Sep 2022

A 25-year old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an incident in which three police vehicles sustained substantial damage in Fivemiletown in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Officers were probing a report of a drink-driver and went to an address at Tattenabuddagh Lane just after midnight as part of their investigations.

Whilst there, a man in his 20s tried to evade officers in a tractor, ramming three PSNI vehicles.

The officers narrowly avoided injury.

Detective Inspector Snoddy said: "This was a reckless and cowardly incident which has left three of our police vehicles off the road affecting our service delivery in the Mid Ulster area. There is also the impact in terms of our officers' welfare, as well as the cost of repairs to the vehicle.

"If it were not for our officers taking evasive action to avoid the oncoming tractor, I have no doubt that officers would have been seriously injured or killed."

Detectives investigating the incident are appealing for information and can be contacted on 101 quoting reference 2000 23/09/22.

A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.

Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org