10/09/2019

L'Derry: Bomb Found In Parked Vehicle

A bomb discovered in a parked vehicle in L'Derry was to be used against a police patrol, it has emerged.

The command wire initiated device was made safe after it was discovered in the Creggan area of the city on Monday evening, 09 September.

A clearance operation was commenced with families evacuated from around 15 homes. Police believe the New IRA was responsible for the bomb.

During the security alert, a crowd of between 60 and 100 people gathered, some of whom attacked police vehicles with missiles and over 40 petrol bombs.

Two young people sustained burn injuries when they tried to use petrol bombs to attack the police cordon. No police officers were injured.

Assistant Chief Constable for District Policing Mark Hamilton condemned those responsible for planting the device. He said: "The bomb would have killed or maimed anyone near it when it detonated.

"Whilst it is the clear intention of the New IRA to murder community police officers trying to keep the community in Derry/Londonderry safe, it is also very clear that NIRA have a total disregard for the lives of everyone living in Creggan.

"Once again they exploited some of the young people in the community to attack police and have brought disruption and misery to families.

"We want to thank the community for their patience during this public safety operation. We know the impact this has had, especially on residents who had to leave their homes."

The operation in Creggan Heights was conducted after police confirmed suspicions the dissident republican group was behind an improvised explosive device planted near houses in Strabane, County Tyrone, on Saturday 07 September. The device was aimed at the town's police station and represents the seventh murder bid against security forces in Northern Ireland this year.

Police moved into Creggan to target the violent activities of the group, in what Mr Hamilton described as a "complex" investigation.

Local MLA and SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood appealed for calm following the serious disorder.

"People in this community will not be held to ransom by those who want to hold us all back," the Foyle MLA said.

"The brutal and sustained attack that officers have come under while trying to make our community safe is disgusting. Young people in this community are being manipulated and are risking their futures as a result. I would urge parents to contact their children and take them out of harm's way."



(JG/CM)

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