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Derry hoax alerts ‘designed to frustrate’ bomb investigation, says PSNI chief

written by John January 22, 2019
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PSNI officers at the scene of the hijacked van in Creggan on Monday (North West Newspix)

A POLICE commander says a series of security alerts in Derry on Monday were designed to “frustrate” an investigation into a bomb that exploded in the city centre.

Three alerts – sparked after two vehicles were hijacked by masked men and an Asda delivery van abandoned – ended in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

And there had also been an attempt to hijack a bus in the city’s Moss Road area.

Police said residents have returned to their homes and the alerts were hoaxes.

The disruption came less than 48 hours after a bomb exploded on Saturday night outside Bishop Street courthouse, wreaking havoc for the community and local businesses.

The courthouse was closed on Monday and business transferred to either Strabane or Coleraine.

The courthouse has reopened on Tuesday but scheduled jury trials have been put off until Wednesday, January 23.

Police believe the bomb was carried out by dissident republican group the ‘New IRA’.

Members of the DUP are to meet PSNI Chief Constable on Tuesday to discuss recent incidents in the city and the ongoing dissident republican threat.

Police have released four out of five men held over Saturday’s bombing.

The hijacked Asda delivery van abandoned at Northland Road on Monday night

A 50-year-old man arrested on Monday remains in police custody.

He is also being questioned over the robbery of a substantial amount of cash from a van driver at Meadowbank Avenue in the city last Tuesday.

The PSNI’s district commander for Derry, Supt Gordon McCalmont, said it was his understanding that the those behind the hoax alerts “were trying to frustrate our investigation into the initial bombing incident on Saturday”.

He added that the alerts were meant to “cause maximum disruption to the community”.

British Army bomb disposal officers carried out a controlled explosion in Creggan’s Circular Road after a vehicle was hijacked by three masked men at 11.30 am on Monday.

The second alert on Southway, also in Creggan, followed reports of a vehicle being hijacked by four masked men at 1:45 pm.

In a third incident, police responded to a report of an abandoned Asda delivery van on the Northland Road close to the Glenbank Road junction and St Mary’s College.

“Three controlled explosions were carried out in total on Monday,” Supt McCalmont said told BBC Radio Foyle.

“There was certainly a mention of guns being shown by masked men to these people in two of the hijacking incidents.

“Only those responsible can explain why they are inflicting fear on our community.”

Supt McCalmont also said no devices were found in any of the three vehicles.

“I have full organisational support and our focus is on keeping people safe. We will have proportionate operations in place.

The hijacked car on fire after bomb on board detonates outside courthouse in Derry on Saturday night

“As a district commander, I am extremely proud of my colleagues over the past couple of days.

“We dealt with Bishop Street, we responded to 200 calls for burglaries, domestic abuse and vulnerable people.

“Although we were stretched and under pressure, we managed and delivered a service to the community,” he added.

Derry hoax alerts ‘designed to frustrate’ bomb investigation, says PSNI chief was last modified: January 22nd, 2019 by John

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ATOBBC RADIO FOYLECIRCULAR ROADDerry hoax alerts 'designed to frustrate' bomb investigationNorthland roadPSNIsays PSNI chiefSOUTHWAYSUPT GORDON MCCALMONT
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