PSNI warns teenager about risk to life from dissident republicans

The family of a 15-year-old Tyrone boy who have been warned by the Police Service of Northern Ireland that his life is at risk from dissident republicans have said they have no idea why he has been targeted.

The family was put on alert on Monday by police officers, but Sinn Féin LA Declan McAleer said “the level of threat, severity or likelihood of it happening” was not made clear.

“I visited the young fellow and his family and they are extremely concerned and have absolutely no idea why he has been singled out in this way,” Mr McAleer said.

Vulnerable

Critical of the way officers handled the issue, Mr McAleer said he has complained to the Police Ombudsman, saying that officers had left the boy feeling “vulnerable and isolated”.

Speaking to The Ulster Herald, the boy's father said he is "100 per cent confident" that his son has not been in any trouble. Locally, there is speculation that there has been confusion about his surname.

The PSNI said: “However, if we receive information that a person’s life may be at risk we will inform them accordingly. We never ignore anything which may put an individual at risk.”