Police probe Derry mortar bomb attack
Elderly residents had to be evacuated from their homes after an explosion outside a police station in Londonderry.
The area was sealed off as army technical officers examine a car on Queen Street which was reported to be on fire shortly after the explosion was heard.
Police said no-one was injured in the incident but elderly residents, who live in a nearby fold, had to be evacuated and are now being cared for at another residential home.
One eyewitness told UTV what happened; “I was up in the sitting room and I was just turning my computer off when I saw a flash of light and I heard a loud pop.
“I opened the door and heard the sound like a gun shot. So I went to the window but got a little bit nervous and came back. And then I heard the guys downstairs say I think a bomb just went off. And so we were looking at the car and it was full of smoke.”
Chief Superintendent Stephen Martin, District Commander, said such attacks should be condemned by everyone in society.
“Attacks such as this are an attack on the local community and the good people of Derry,” he said.
“This incident resulted in local people, including the elderly residents of a nearby Fold, being evacuated for a considerable time.
“Had this device exploded when it struck the station wall or veered off course, innocent people in the immediate area could have been killed or seriously injured.
“Thankfully that is not the case.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it is believed the device was fired from the back of a Vauxhall Cavalier parked in Queen Street.
It struck the perimeter wall of the station and fell to the ground without exploding.
Roads around the station were closed to traffic to allow army bomb disposal experts to examine the car.
Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford said it was a senseless attack.
“Those who carried this out refuse to accept the will of the vast majority of people across this island,” he said.
“They will not succeed.”
The PSNI appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Chief Superintendent Martin added: “The criminal actions of this small minority offer nothing to society.
“These attacks are an inconvenience on a local community which does not want a return to the violent past and should be condemned by every right-thinking person.”
SDLP Councillor Helen Quigley has said she is angry at the disruption that has been caused.
“Clearly this is unnecessary stress and anxiety for the older people, some of whom are still in their pyjamas from being taken out late last night.
“Apart from that we have businesses in the area who can’t get operating this morning and the traders are finding it difficult enough without unnecessary barriers or impediments.”
Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford condemned the attack.
“Thankfully no-one was hurt in what was a senseless attack,” he said.
“Those who carried this out refuse to accept the will of the vast majority of people across this island. They will not succeed.”
Brian Rea, acting chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, also condemned the incident and urged anyone with information to come forward.
“This latest attack on a police station has caused inconvenience and stress to those residents who had to be evacuated from their homes in the early hours of this morning,” Mr Rea said.
“Thankfully there were no injuries to members of the public or police officers and I would urge anyone with information to pass it on to the police.”
Derry Sinn Fein councillor Gerry MacLochlainn has also condemned the explosion.
“There is little doubt that this bomb is the work of one of the small militarist factions. These people are opposed to the peace process and have no strategy to bring about political change or deliver Irish unity.
“People in Derry do not support these actions and will be angered at the disruption that this brought to the local community.”
The Strand Road has been closed between its junctions at Clarendon Street and Lawrence Hill.
