Five Homes Evacuated Following Explosion In L'Derry

Five homes had to be evacuated after a pipe bomb type device exploded on the window sill of a house in L'Derry.

The attack occurred in the Lincoln Court area just after 10.10pm on Saturday.

The window of the house was smashed.

A woman who was in the house at the time was not injured.

Detective Inspector Stewart said: "We are lucky that no-one was injured by this device, or by the window smashing. This is being treated as a sectarian hate crime and I would appeal to anyone with any information about this incident to contact detectives at Strand Road Police Station on the non emergency number 101.

"Or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Sinn Féin Waterside Councillor Christopher Jackson said: "This pipe bomb attack in Lincoln Courts should be condemned by everyone in our community.

"There is no rationale or justification for such actions and the sooner those behind this incident realise that the better.

"Those responsible for this pipe bomb are attempting to drag us back to the past but they will not succeed.

"Whoever was behind this attack needs to realise that they do not have the support of the local community and they should stop these pointless actions immediately."

(CD/JP)