MEMBERS of the emergency services who were attending call outs in Enniskillen have been victims of serious attacks.
In two separate incidents, a female paramedic was attacked and sustained injuries as she attempted to help a man, while the Fire Service had stones thrown at them by youths as they attempted to put out a fire on the outskirts of Enniskillen.
The female ambulance worker was punched repeatedly in the head and stomach by a man needing emergency treatment after her crew responded to a call-out in the Dannys Mill Road area of Enniskillen around 11.30pm last Tuesday.
Police had also been called and an officer was able to restrain the man.
According to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, the attack happened in the back of the ambulance and was totally unprovoked.
The PSNI confirmed that officers responded to reports of a vulnerable male on Tuesday March 26th.
“The man was restrained by police after he assaulted an officer and a paramedic upon arrival at hospital. The man was admitted to hospital for treatment. Police enquiries are continuing.”
In a separate incident at Cleenish Park, Enniskillen, the Fire Service were called to deal with tyres on fire in a playpark on Wednesday March 27th around 11.30pm and were attacked by a group of youths throwing stones.
The NIFRS have said there was ‘no injuries to firefighters or damage to the fire appliance’ but added the cause of the fire was deliberate.
Two young males were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and criminal damage while a further three males were arrested for a number of drug offences.
The police claimed this was the second night of fires being lit in the area and have appealed to parents to find out where their children are.
Local Councillor Howard Thorton has totally condemned the attacks on the emergency services who are helping those in the need.
“Any attacks on the emergency services, especially when they are in the course of their duty and assisting the public has to be condemned.
“These are people out trying to help others, and firemen and paramedics are there because there is a need for them, and any attack on them preventing them from doing their duty is absolutely deplorable,” he added.
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