Justice Minister Naomi Long has travelled to Lurgan Police Station to pay tribute to the PSNI officers and staff who managed a major security alert earlier this week. The visit follows an incident on Monday night in which a delivery driver was hijacked at gunpoint and forced to drive a viable explosive device to the station.

During her visit, the Minister condemned the attack as "abhorrent," noting that it demonstrated a complete disregard for the safety of the local community. She expressed her concerns for the delivery driver involved, describing his ordeal as a "horrific experience" and stating her hopes that he can recover from the trauma.

Minister Long stated: "Targeting people who are simply going about their business shows the mindset of the people behind this attack. They offer nothing to society. However, this has undoubtedly been a stark reminder that there are still those who want Northern Ireland to live under the shadow of terror and violence. It has also brought to the forefront the fact that police officers continue to face a threat to their lives simply for doing their job." The Minister praised the "professional and swift manner" in which officers handled the situation, adding: "I know they will not be deterred from continuing to keep the people of Lurgan safe and I would like to pay tribute to their ongoing dedication, professionalism and contribution to society."

During the visit, the Minister met with South Area Commander Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett and Superintendent Brendan Green, the District Commander for Armagh, Banbridge, and Craigavon.

Superintendent Green reiterated that those responsible for the attack do not represent the people of Lurgan. He said: "They offer nothing to our community beyond the disruption and distress caused by their pathetic attempt to achieve some kind of relevance. We have been heartened by the widespread and unequivocal condemnation of the perpetrators, and the vocal support we have received from across our community, as well as from civic and political representatives."

He concluded by expressing his gratitude for the Minister's visit, noting the pride he felt for his officers who continue to work tirelessly to ensure public safety despite the inherent risks they face.