United Condemnation Follows Bombing

Newly appointed Stormont Justice Minister David Ford has condemned last night's car bomb attack by dissident republicans in Holywood.

Mr Ford (pictured) said: "This was a cynical attack designed to intimidate politicians and the community ahead of today's vote in the Assembly.

"Northern Ireland has today taken responsibility for policing and justice matters. That is a hugely significant step which gives us collectively the opportunity to build a better future for all. I am committed to working with all parts of the community to that end," he said.

"Those who carried out last night's attack will not be allowed to succeed in sowing dissension, distrust and disharmony."

He was speaking just hours after a clear, united condemnation from Stormont's top two.

There was no divergence as the Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness jointly condemned last night's bomb in Holywood.

Mr Robinson said: "I have no doubt in my mind that this attack was timed to coincide with the transfer of policing and justice powers. As I have said before the transfer of powers will not be derailed by those who would return us the darkest days of our past.

"We are as determined as ever to work together to deliver a peaceful and stable society. Today represents another significant step on that journey."

Mr McGuinness said: "Today is a truly significant day in our history, we will not be swayed or distracted by a small minority who have nothing to offer our society. There is no doubt that many challenges remain ahead of us and there may well be more of these attacks.

"Let me be clear however that anyone seeking to obstruct the progress we are making should recognise our determination to deliver a shared society based on respect and tolerance.

"They will not achieve the destruction of either the peace process or the political process, both of which remain rock solid."

Among others to speak out, the SDLP Justice Spokesperson Alban Maginness said those responsible for last night's bomb at Palace Barracks must not be allowed to shake political stability or subvert the new beginning to the devolution of policing and justice.

"On behalf of the SDLP I utterly condemn the actions of the Real IRA who carried out this attack.

"The real target was not Palace Barracks – it was devolution itself.

"Those responsible are steeped in the mindset and means of the past; they will not be allowed to take us back there.

"They will fail as the Provos failed and for the same reason – because they are rejected by the people of this country north and south," he insisted.

"Our devolved, democratic institutions have the backing of the people of Ireland who voted overwhelmingly for the Good Friday Agreement, and no one else but their elected representatives can claim to speak in their name or act on their behalf.

"The Provos eventually learned that lesson after putting the community through decades of agony, and this time democratic Ireland will ensure a steeper learning curve.

"I would reinforce the appeal that anyone who has any information on the events of last night it is their abounding duty as a citizen, as an Irish citizen to pass it on to our police service.

"The bombers are going nowhere except to jail. They will get no response from the people except contempt," he said.

(BMcC/GK)