Currynierin Security Alert Remains In Place

A security alert remains in place in the Currynierin estate on the outskirts of L'Derry city for a second day.

Police said they wanted to examine a suspicious object in daylight.

The alert began on Monday when someone claiming to represent the republican movement made a phone call to a local newspaper and said a mortar bomb had been left in the estate.

An object was then found in the area and a security alert was put in place. Residents were evacuated from their homes.

SDLP Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey said: "The people of Derry are sick and tired of these reckless and futile efforts. Any activity of this kind can only be described as unacceptable and irresponsible when you consider the proximity of the threat to residential homes and it is contemptible that children and their parent must be told to leave their homes.

"This is common practice in a warzone, not in a functioning society and that is what the vast majority of Derry citizens want, a city that works. It is time we relegated this kind of behaviour to the past. The people of Derry have made it clear time and again that there is no place for violence in our city."

Sinn Féin councillor Paul Fleming said: "Those behind this security alert must be condemned. This has achieved absolutely nothing except bringing disruption to the community in Currynierin, particularly those evacuated from their homes.

"There is only one entrance and exit to the estate and, as a result of this alert the residents had to remain in the area. This is a city moving forward and the wider community has made it clear that there is no support for this type of activity. Those responsible need to listen to the will of the vast majority of people and end these futile actions immediately."

Ulster Unionist Ross Hussey added: "I unreservedly condemn this latest incident in which the actions of a tiny minority of fanatics have once again inconvenienced the normal daily lives of many innocent people as they attempt to impose their will on society. They have not struck some great blow for Ireland, all they have managed to achieve is to force residents of Currynierin to spend a night out of their homes.

"This appears to be the latest in what is becoming a rather long line of incidents in the Maiden City in which republicans have sought to kill or injure members of the security forces. In the recent past we have seen attacks or attempted attacks on Strand Road Police Station, mobile patrols, the Everglades hotel and a city centre bank. We have also witnessed gun attacks on individuals and property.

"Local people do not support this. The people behind such attacks must realise that they will not win. If they have anything to offer the people of Londonderry or the rest of Northern Ireland, they should put themselves forward at the forthcoming Westminster elections and let the people pass judgement on their arguments. Failure to do so, and the continuation of their pointless violence, will expose them as the fascists they are."

(IT/MH)