A bullet hole in a parked van after the shooting at The Carlton Hotel, Belleek, Co Fermanagh.

The cordoned off Carlton Hotel, Belleek, Co Fermanagh, where the shooting took place.

Staff have been threatened and a shot fired during an attack at a Northern Ireland hotel.

Three armed and masked men arrived at the Carlton Hotel in Belleek’s Main Street shortly before 9.30am on Tuesday.

After threatening staff they fired one shot into the van of a contractor working there.

There was nobody in the van and no one was injured but all involved were shaken by the events, police said.

Chief Inspector Graham Dodds added: “The men then made off in the direction of the border and local officers are working closely with An Garda Síochana to trace their movements."

Wearing dark overalls with white stripes and balaclavas, they made off in a black Ford Escort. It was found on fire a short time later in the Derrynacross Road area of Garrison where it is believed the men transferred to another vehicle.

PSNI officers are working with gardai to trace their movements and have appealed for anyone with information to contact investigators.

Ulster Unionist Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Tom Elliott condemned the attack.

Mr Elliott said: “l am shocked to learn that armed and masked men appeared on Belleek Main Street this morning, discharged a firearm and fled across the border.

“Belleek is a quiet Fermanagh border village and this incident will have come as a complete shock to the local community. It is a reminder that we are still plagued by those who are intent on murder, attempted murder and disruption, and of dark days which we all want to put behind us."

The hotel has not responded to our request for a comment.

Belfast Telegraph