The explosive device which caused extensive damage to the lobby of a Derry hotel in the early hours of this morning was a fire bomb, the city’s police commander has said.
The Everglades Hotel.
Chief Superintendent Stephen Cargin revealed the bomb at the Everglades Hotel at Prehen “burst into a ball of flames” as a British army bomb disposal expert was beginning to deal with it.
The alert began when a masked man entered the building at around 11.15pm and placed a holdall on reception desk, telling staff he was from the IRA and they had 40 minutes to get out.
The device exploded around three hours later.
No one was injured in the incident.
Over 50 guests, including members of a family in the city for a funeral today, were evacuated and moved to the City Hotel on the cityside.
A car set on fire in the Foyle Road area on the cityside a short time later is believed to be linked to the incident.
A PSNI spokesperson praised the action of the hotel staff and police officers in quickly evacuating the hotel, and said they had “undoubtedly prevented a tragedy.”
Victoria Road is open to traffic but motorists are advised to expect delays.
The incident has been widely condemned.
Derry SDLP Pat Ramsey described it as “most worrying.”
He added: “Thankfully, no one was injured, well done to the staff for their courageous work.
“Those responsible for this inexcusable attack need to come forward and explain their actions.”
Describing the incident as an “attack on the city,” Sinn Fein Cllr blamed a “micro group” opposed to the peace process.
Cllr Fleming added: “This must have been a very frightening experience for staff, guests and local residents caught up in this incident.
“It serves no purpose and those responsible need to come forward and explain to the people of Derry what the point of all this is.
“I would call upon anyone involved in this type of activity to desist; they have no strategy and are going against the will of the vast majority of the people of this city who have indicated that they want to move forward without these type of actions.”
He concluded: “The people of Derry do not want this happening in their name.”
The explosion occurred a week after the election to the first ever Strabane-Derry “Super Council.”
The hotel has been used in recent weeks by the PSNI to host recruitment events.
Meanwhile, the organisers Sunday’s Walled City Marathon will go ahead as normal with the start taking place at the Everglades Hotel.
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