THE woman who narrowly cheated injury when a pipe bomb exploded on the windowsill of her Derry home says police have advised her not to go back for her own safety.
Police are treating the attack at Lincoln Court as a sectarian hate crime.
The lethal device was placed on the window sill and exploded shortly after 10 pm on Saturday night.
She told the BBC that she saw remembers a “big flash and loads and loads of smoke” when the device detonated.
“I was sitting in the house, in the living-room, and the next thing the whole lot came in round me,” she said.
“It really just scared the life out of me.”
Army bomb disposal officers were called to examine the scene and five homes were evacuated for a time overnight.
The woman moved into the house 10 months ago but said she may have to leave permanently as a result of the attack.
“I had it the way I wanted it and I was doing things to it and now I can’t. I just have to go and just have to re-start again.
“You just, sort of, get used to people putting you out of places, they obviously just don’t want you here,” she added.
SDLP Waterside councillor Gerry Diver
Waterside SDLP councillor Gerry Diver condemned the attack.
Speaking in the aftermath of the incident councillor Diver said:
“I would condemn outright this disgraceful attack on a person living in the Waterside.
“I understand the police are following a few different lines of enquiry, but what is very clear is that the incident was motivated by hate.
“Sadly we have a history of people being attacked in their homes over the years in this city and district, and it’s unbelievable that this type of sinister event can still happen in 2015.
“My complete sympathy is with the victim of this attack who thankfully has escaped physical harm, but who I’m sure has been traumatised by the events.
“I would appeal for anyone with information to pass it on to the PSNI as a matter of urgency, so that those responsible can be brought to justice.”
Detective Inspector Stewart said: “We are lucky that no-one was injured by this device, or by the window smashing.
“This is being treated as a sectarian hate crime and I would appeal to anyone with any information about this incident to contact detectives at Strand Road Police Station on the non emergency number 101.
“Or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
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