Delivery of explosive device amid Derry Hallowe’en festivities ‘abhorrent’
Naomi Long has described the placement of a viable explosive device at Ebrington as Derry prepared for its 40th anniversary Hallowe’en festivities as ‘abhorrent’.
The Justice Minister said those responsible had no regard for the community and businesses.
“I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms; it is abhorrent to think a viable device has been placed in the vicinity of families and young people celebrating Hallowe’en,” she said.
She was speaking after a suspicious package was delivered to the Ebrington Hotel on Tuesday.
Neighbouring businesses were evacuated and cordons put in place. British Army Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO) carried out a controlled explosion on the device, which was confirmed to be viable late on Tuesday.
"It was an utterly shameful and dangerous act and the people behind it have shown absolutely no regard to the community or businesses affected.
"I would also like to pay tribute to the police officers who responded to this incident, once again putting themselves in harms’ way to ensure the safety of the public.
"The professionalism and courage of the police stands in stark contrast to those intent on bringing fear and disruption to our streets,” declarted the Justice Minister in the wake of the incident.
The incident was reported to the PSNI at approximately 3.20pm on Tuesday prompting a security alert that ended shortly before midnight.
The device has been been taken away for forensic examination by police officers who have now launched an investigation into what they have described as a ‘targeted and reckless’ attack.