SDLP ex-mayor blames republicans for hoax

In Londonderry, former SDLP mayor Pat Ramsey has claimed republicans placed a hoax bomb outside his house because he supports the new police service.

The alert had begun before 9.00am on Friday April 19, when a neighbour raised the alarm after noticing that a package has been tied to railings outside Mr Ramsey’s home in Meenan Drive.

The area was sealed off, sixty houses evacuated and up to 150 people moved from their homes.

British army bomb squad officers arrived quickly to examine the device and they were soon able to, and although designed to look like a real bomb, the device was in fact a hoax.

Sinn Féin Council Leader Gearoid Ó hÉara has slammed those responsible for the suspect device found at Mr Ramsey’s home and denied that republicans were involved.

“People need to ask themselves who such incidents benefit and it is clearly not Sinn Féin. Whoever is responsible needs to catch themselves on and stop these stupid antics.”

SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the people who had planted the device were “undoubtedly seeking to silence and intimidate the SDLP”.

“Sinn Féin have been quick to blame the language of demonisation from unionist politicians for loyalists attacks on people and property. It is clear the intimidatory invective from Sinn Féin in its demonisation of the SDLP is influencing and encouraging those who are directing these sinister devices at SDLP councillor homes.” (AMcE)