§ Mr. Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has a statement to make concerning the shooting in Cyprus of Police Sergeant Rooney.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydYes. The circumstances were as follows.
Sergeant Rooney of the Kent County Constabulary had arrived in Cyprus in December last, having volunteered for police duties in Cyprus. He was stationed in Nicosia, and at 8.45 a.m. on Wednesday the 14th March, he was on normal patrol duty in Nicosia, accompanied by a Cypriot police constable. Their duty on this patrol was to record the numbers of shops closed on account of a strike. The two officers were fired at from behind at short range. They were hit by sten gun bullets and Sergeant Rooney died instantly. The condition of the constable is still serious.
The authorities in Cyprus have taken vigorous action in their efforts to trace the terrorists responsible for this abominable and cowardly murder. The Governor and I have conveyed to the relatives our deepest sympathy at the loss of this young police officer in the course of his duties in Cyprus.