‘Elaborate hoax’ at candidate’s home
A suspicious object found at the home of an SDLP council candidate in the Creggan area of Londonderry has been described by police as “an elaborate hoax.”
The object was found in the front garden of Jim Clifford’s home on Tuesday morning.
Iniscarn Road was closed at its junction with Linsfort Drive and Rathlin Drive while investigations were carried out at the scene of the alert.
Diversions were put in place, but all restrictions have now been lifted.
A large number of properties on Iniscarn Road were evacuated during the alert and residents in the Iniscarn Court area were also forced to leave their homes.
Mr Clifford said the incident was “not just an attack on my home but the entire community.”
“Neighbours, friends and family have had to be evacuated and during the school rush parents and children have been frightened and severely inconvenienced. Elderly neighbours have been brought from their beds,” he said.
“This is an attack on democracy and those responsible have no interest in the will of the people. This is an attack on the entire community.
“This will not deter me or my party from representing the people of the area and further afield. Indeed, it has made our resolve stronger.”
