The Continuity IRA has admitted it carried out the rocket attack on a police patrol in County Fermanagh at the weekend.

A caller using a recognised codeword said the dissident paramilitary group launched the mortar at three police officers in Lisnaskea on Saturday night.

Yesterday police revealed that Semtex had been used for the first time by dissidents in the attack.

The three officers were attacked while on patrol in Lisnaskea`s Lower Main Street.

The deputy Chief Constable, Paul Leighton, said it was the first time Dissidents have used the substance in an attack.

Its significant in that there was Semtex in that explosive charge. It didnt go off, but there was Semtex in it,he said.

None of the officers were injured, but two were treated for shock.

Britain's Northern Ireland Security Minister Paul Goggins claims the attack was carried out by "criminals" trying to return Northern Ireland to its violent past.

He has vowed those responsible will not succeed because the North has moved on.

Speaking at the scene, local Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliot demanded urgent action to curb the growing number of attacks, including a recall of the British army if needed.