L'Derry Public Safety Operation Ongoing Following Hijacking

A public safety operation is continuing in L'Derry this morning (Monday 21 November) following a hijacking on Sunday night when a suspicious object was placed in a delivery driver's car in Curryneirin and he was forced to travel to the Waterside. 

The incident, which occurred at around 10.30pm, involved a number of men who forced the driver at gunpoint to abandon the vehicle – a grey Ford Mondeo - outside Waterside Police Station.

The driver was able to raise the alarm, and a public safety operation was immediately implemented.

Superintendent Clive Beatty acknowledges the significant disruption caused by the operation, but says the safety of the community is paramount.

Superintendent Beatty said: "This reckless and despicable act has brought chaos to the local community in Crescent Link this morning, with many residents having to evacuate their homes. Local businesses and a local school are also experiencing disruption this morning. This is unacceptable.

"This must have been a horrific ordeal for the driver and we hope he recovers from this traumatic incident.

Crescent Link remains closed between the roundabout at Kilfennan Link Road and Altnagelvin Hospital. Our officers are on scene and we ask that you follow their direction.

Superintendent Beatty added: "We are working to make the scene safe and appreciate the patience and cooperation of the public and, in particular, those who have been directly affected. We will keep you updated with any developments."

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has condemned the incident as an "attack on the entire community".

Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said: "This horrendous incident has shocked people in Derry and right across the North as they wake up to what's happened on Monday morning. Ordinary people who are getting ready to do a day's work, children preparing for school and the community as a whole have been impacted, with significant disruption caused as a result.

"Our thoughts are with the driver who has been through a terrible ordeal and all the people affected. Nobody should be subjected to this kind of attack while out trying to earn a living. This incident harks back to one of the darkest days of our city's past, the disgraceful murder of Patsy Gillespie and will be retraumatising for victims.

"Those behind this are achieving nothing by disrupting the lives of people in our city. They enjoy no support in this community and are actively harming the cause of Irish unity through their futile actions. Violence of any kind was wrong 50 years ago and it's wrong today, these groups need to realise it's long past time they left the stage and police must hold them accountable for their actions."