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Device found in SDLP councillor’s garden

SECURITY ALERT. . . .SDLP Councillor Jim Clifford and Mayor of Derry, Councillor Colum Eastwood look on as an elderly neighbour is taken to safety by taxi during a security alert outside the Creggan councillor's home on Tuesday morning. 0605JM01
SECURITY ALERT. . . .SDLP Councillor Jim Clifford and Mayor of Derry, Councillor Colum Eastwood look on as an elderly neighbour is taken to safety by taxi during a security alert outside the Creggan councillor's home on Tuesday morning. 0605JM01

A suspect device found in the garden of a SDLP councillor’s home in Derry has been declared an elaborate hoax.

It is understood a neighbour alerted Jim Clifford to the presence of the device in the garden of his Creggan home early this morning ( Tuesday).

Police say the alert has now ended and all roads have reopened.

Mr Clifford says whoever is responsible has attacked the entire Creggan community.

“Neighbours, friends and family have had to be evacuated and during the school rush parents and children have been frightened and severely inconvenienced. Elderly neighbours have been brought from their beds.

“This is an attack on democracy and those responsible have no interest in the will of the people. This is an attack on the entire community.

“This will not deter me or my party from representing the people of the area and further afield. Indeed, it has made our resolve stronger,” he says.