By Conor Sharkey

AN attack on a Strabane fire crew tackling a blaze at a local Traveller Halting Site on Monday evening has been described as "absolutely despicable".

Two appliances were tasked to Greenbrae at 7.05pm, following a report that a caravan was on fire. While dealing with the blaze, the crew is understood to have been attacked by a man wielding a chain.

They were forced to abandon the blaze after fifteen minutes and police, who were already on site investigating disturbances and thefts from vehicles, stepped in.

A 19-year-old man was arrested and has since been charged with assault and possessing an offensive weapon.

Speaking on Tuesday, Strabane District Council member Derek Hussey described it as an attack on the entire community.

"My first reaction when I heard about this attack was thankful that police were on site at the time and able to apprehend one of those involved in this absolutely despicable incident.

"However, this was an attack on local people protecting their local community and has to be utterly condemned.

" I am pleased that one of those involved here has been apprehended, but I am also mindful that there are many other incidents throughout the North West where no one is ever brought to justice," Mr Hussey said.

The chairman of Strabane District Council Jarlath McNulty echoed Mr Hussey's comments, describing the incident as "unacceptable".

"No matter who attacks these essential services, it is not acceptable. They are there to protect and provide a service and to be attacked in this manner is totally unacceptable," he said.