Police attacked during security alert
Police came under attack from youths throwing petrol bombs after being lured to a hoax bomb site in Derry on Saturday.
The alert at Aileach Road, Ballymagroarty, began at around 6pm. The road was closed between the Ringfort Road roundabout and Ennis Place for several hours as British army bomb experts examined the object.
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan, who was at the scene, condemned those who planted the hoax device for “luring” officers into the area to be attacked.
“Given that officers have been attacked with petrol bombs and other missiles while attempting to do their job in relation to this alert, I have no other option but to assume that this object was planted with a view to luring police into an ambush-style attack.”
He branded those behind such attacks “no friends of this community”, adding that they must be brought to justice.
“They must face the full weight of the justice system given not only the basic criminality of their actions but also the huge financial and logistical cost to the security forces. The technical officers who are dealing with the device have to travel a significant distance.”
Northlands Sinn Féin Councillor Eric McGinley said; “Those responsible for the leaving of this device on Saturday afternoon have absolutely nothing to offer the people of the greater Ballymagroarty area. This was a another senseless action and whoever was behind it needs to explain their rationale to this community.”
Police are appealing for anyone with information on the attack to contact Strand Road police on 0845 600 8000 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
