The hijacked van on Buncrana Road. Photo: Lorcan Doherty Photography.
Those behind yesterday’s security alert in Derry have nothing to offer to society, Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney has said.
The eight-hour alert began at lunchtime after the driver of a furniture van was confronted by two masked men as he was making a delivery to Ederowen Park in Galliagh.
After placing a wheelie bin in the van, and ordering a colleague to stay in the home to where the furniture was being delivered, the driver was told to take the vehicle to Strand Road police station.
However, after driving less than two miles he stopped the vehicle close to St Columb’s College on the Buncrana and alerted police.
The incident was eventually declared a “hoax.”
Staff at the College, preparing for today’s GCSE examination results, were evacuated as were a number of residents in St John’s Park and workers from businesses at Springtown Industrial Estate.
Condemning those responsible, Mr McCartney said the incident brought “widespread disruption” to the area of the city and “must be condemned.”
He added: “It was a very frightening experience for the driver of this vehicle, who was confronted by masked men and ordered to drive what he believed to be a bomb through the city.
“Workers in local businesses and staff at a school who were preparing to send out GSCE results had to be evacuated as a result of this futile action.
“Those behind this incident showed no regard for the driver of the vehicle or the people of Derry.”
Mr McCartney concluded: “They are offering nothing to society and need to stop these actions immediately.”
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