Suspected stabbing in Sion Mills

“THERE was one person seen with a knife, and another with a screwdriver, and both were covered in blood.”

This was a description of the aftermath of a suspected stabbing incident in Sion Mills yesterday (Wednesday), following which three people were hospitalised.

Occurring just 50 yards away from a primary school, the attack took place at around 8.40am on Upper Main Street, as pupils were making their way to class.

Viewed as a “serious assault” by police, one of the local people who made a 999 call after the altercation, Andy Patton, said the local village remains in shock.

“It’s totally and utterly ridiculous that something like this could happen on the street and at a time when children were on their way to school,” he said. “All right-thinking people would have to condemn this.

“I was told that one man had a knife and the other a screwdriver, and as I say, both were covered in blood. That was the report I put through when I rang 999.

“This has to be condemned most robustly. This sort of thing has no place in our society.”

When contacted about the incident, a spokesperson for the PSNI declined to confirm that a stabbing had taken place, but said that officers had attended reports of a serious assault.

At one stage, at least three police vehicles were in attendance as well as the Ambulance Service.

“Three men have been taken to hospital for their injuries,” the PSNI spokesperson stated. “One man in his 30s and one man in his 20s have been arrested in relation to the incident.”

Condemning those responsible, SDLP councillor for the area, Steven Edwards added, “This has caused great shock and upset for the local community and rightly so. Sion Mills is a quaint, quiet village and events such as this morning’s have rightly shaken the local community and residents.

“My thoughts are with the victims of the alleged incident, and I sincerely hope no one is seriously injured. I have engaged with the PSNI concerning the incident, and I am awaiting a response from them.”