Police challenge man with gun following bar attack in Claudy

by Gráinne Connolly

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances, following an incident in Claudy last night. 

It follows reports of a disturbance at a bar on Church Street at around 11.30pm, that a man had damaged property in the pub and assaulted customers. 

Police investigating the incident located a suspect at a caravan on the Gordilea Road in Claudy but were met with a man holding a shotgun.

They challenged him and instructed him to drop the weapon, which he eventually did. 

Chief Inspector Donna Bowden said: “At around 11.30pm police received a report of a disturbance in licensed premises on Church Street. 

"It was reported that a man had damage property in the bar and assaulted a number of customers. 

“Following police enquiries the suspect was located in a caravan on the Gortilea Road in Claudy. 

"The suspect was observed in the caravan in possession of a long barrelled firearm.  Officers challenged the suspect and instructed him to drop the weapon which he eventually did.

“The suspect was subsequently arrested and remains in police custody at this time.

“I want to take this opportunity to commend the professionalism and resilience shown by the officers last night in the face of what was undoubtedly a hostile and very challenging situation.”