Gardai question man shot in North

A man believed to have been shot in the undercover security operation in Coalisland, Co Tyrone last week was back in hospital…

A man believed to have been shot in the undercover security operation in Coalisland, Co Tyrone last week was back in hospital in Dundalk last night after being questioned by gardai.

The man - suspected of involvement in an attempted attack on the RUC base at Coalisland - was released by police in Dundalk, after being held under anti terrorist laws.

He was immediately transferred back to Louth County Hospital for further treatment to bullet wounds apparently suffered in the Coalisland incident which also led to the shooting and injuring of a second man, who has since faced charges over the affair.

Last night's move followed intensifying pressure for the man to be handed over to the RUC by the Irish authorities.

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Garda sources in Dundalk said it was likely the man would be kept under observation by officers in the hospital. The Ulster Unionist Party MP for Fermanagh/South Tyrone, Mr Ken Maginnis, last night demanded that the man be sent back to Northern Ireland to be questioned by the RUC. "It is important that the authorities in the Republic demonstrate a degree of co operation which indicates a willingness to stand firm against terrorism," he said.

The other man who was wounded when soldiers opened afire has been charged with the attempted murder of security forces and maliciously causing an explosion.

Mr Malachy Dons (19), of Meenagh Park, Coalisland, is under police guard n hospital where he is recovering from a stomach wound.