McGuinness condemns Derry bomb blast
Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has condemned a bomb attack in the Brandywell area of Londonderry, in which members of his own family were caught up.
“This is a bomb that could quite easily have killed a number of people, particularly children,” he said. “My own niece was caught up in it.
“I think it absolutely diabolical that there are still idiots within our society who believe it is sensible to go to an area like the Brandywell and place a bomb and threaten people’s lives.”
A number of homes in the Lecky Road area of the city were damaged when the bomb – which was left at the front door of a house – went off, shortly before 11pm on Thursday.
There are no reports of any injuries, but there had been young children asleep in two of the affected properties at the time of the explosion.
Shrapnel blasted through windows, including those of the children’s bedrooms.
Foyle SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan told UTV: “It was a loud explosion – it must have been a sizeable enough bomb because I heard it and I live two miles away.”
Sinn Féin Deputy Mayor Kevin Campbell condemned those behind the attack.
“While it is not yet known what group or individual may have been responsible for leaving this device, what is known is that it was detonated in a built-up area and could have caused serious injury to anyone in the vicinity of the blast at that time,” he said.
“I am making it clear to those responsible that the people of Derry do not want this and those behind it need to stop. Those behind this bomb attack need to consider their actions.”
