RESIDENTS in Derry remain out of their homes today 24 hours after a bomb attack on a serving police officer.
The device, planted by dissident republicans, was found outside the officer’s home on Wednesday after it apparently fell off his vehicle in the Ardanlee area of Culmore.
The bomb was reportedly found under a car at Ardanlee and exploded as Army technical officers tried to defuse it; no one was injured in the blast.
Catholic and Church of Ireland bishops have condemned the attack.
The area remains cordoned off and about a dozen families have not been allowed to return home amid an ongoing security alert.
Derry and Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership Chairman Cllr Gus Hastings has condemned yesterday’s bomb attack on Culmore.
Speaking on the incident Councillor Hastings stated: “This attack should be rightly condemned by all members of our community.
“The attack on one of our police officers cannot be justified.
“The people who carried out the attack showed no concern for the residents living in the area in their attempt to murder a police officer or members of his family.”
The vice-chairwoman of Northern Ireland’s Policing Board said the attack “would be on the agenda” during a meeting with the Chief Constable, George Hamilton, on Monday.
“This was a live device that fell off a car and the community is very upset,” said Debbie Watters.
“At our last board meeting, we were reassured that he (George Hamilton) did have adequate resources.
“Obviously in light of what has happened that is one issue we will question the chief constable on.”
Despite the attack, Ms Watters added that she did not believe people would be dissuaded from joining the PSNI.
The device was intended to kill and inflict harm in the community, said the PSNI’s Supt Gordon McCalmont.
“This was an attempt to kill one of my colleagues,” he said.
“My thoughts are with my colleague and his family. You can imagine the impact this trauma will have on them.”
Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry and Bishop Ken Good of Derry and Raphoe said the incident showed a “callous disregard” for life.
“There can never be any justification for such a crime,” said the Catholic and Church of Ireland bishops.
“It was wrong. It was evil. And it showed a callous disregard for the lives not only of the police officer targeted by the bombers but of the officer’s neighbours too.
“Our people want to move forward – together – to a better and brighter future. The bombers seem intent on taking us backwards and keeping us apart.
“They must not succeed.”
Both Church leaders urged anyone with information on the “attempted murder” to share it with the PSNI.
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