03/08/2010

Derry Barracks Blasted Overnight

A bomb blast has devastated the area round a Londonderry police station.

The PSNI said two men, one armed with a gun, hijacked a taxi driver shortly before 3am this morning and that the bomb was loaded into his car after which he was forced to drive to the police station.

Officers are understood to have been evacuating the area around the Strand Road barracks when the device exploded.

Damage was caused to the heavily fortified station, plus surrounding buildings including a nursing home and apartments.

Derry, home of the Deputy First Minister, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, was recently named as the agreed UK City of Culture 2013.

Speaking of the accolade, Mr McGuinness said that "it was a fitting tribute to such a historic, important and vibrant city" while the DUP leader, First Minister, Peter Robinson said: "It will be good not only for Londonderry and the North West but for the whole of Northern Ireland."

NI Policing Board Acting Chairman Brian Rea has condemned the bomb attack on Strand Road police station.

Mr Rea said: "Once again, these are the actions of people who have no regard for human life and are only interested in causing maximum disruption and devastation to our community.

"Innocent civilians and police officers doing their jobs were put at serious risk from this attack, property was damaged and nothing was achieved.

"I have no doubt that the whole community in the city and afar will completely condemn this destructive and murderous attack.

"I would encourage anyone with any information to bring it to the attention of the police so those responsible can be caught," he said.

Meanwhile, police are also investigating reports of an explosion at Brownlow police station in Craigavon, Co Armagh.

A statement said that a noise consistent with what might have been a blast bomb exploding at Brownlow Police Station was heard in the area on Tuesday morning.

The PSNI said enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances.

No damages or injuries have been reported at this stage.

See: United Backing For Londonderry Culture Bid

(BMcC/GK)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

18 June 2010
Bomb Alert Shuts Border Police Station
Army bomb disposal experts are examining a van abandoned outside a border police station. About 350 residents in Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, have been evacuated from their homes due to the ongoing security alert.
14 March 2008
Petrol Bomb Attack On House In Derry
Police in Derry are investigating a petrol bomb attack on a house in the Moyne Avenue area of the city. The front of the house was damaged and a window was broken in the incident which happened at around 3am this morning. A couple were in the house at the time but no one was injured in the attack.
04 August 2014
Cork Gardaí Station Evacuated After Pipe Bomb Handed In
Togher Gardaí Station in Cork city has been evacuated after a member of the public brought in a pipe bomb. An army bomb disposal team are on site and working to make the bomb safe. It is understood that a man handed in the pipe bomb after finding it at the rear of his house early this morning (Monday).
11 May 2011
Connolly Station Reopens After Security Alert
Connolly Station has now reopened following a security alert in Dublin city centre. A suspicious device was found by a member of the public resulting in the station being evacuated. The alarm was raised after the device was found close to the station on Amiens Street just after 9am. An army bomb disposal team was called to the scene.
05 August 2013
Man Charged With Petrol Bomb Attack On Killarney Garda Station
A man has been charged with arson in connection with a petrol bomb attack on Killarney Garda Station, the Irish Times have reported. At a special sitting of the Killorglin District Court, the unidentified man was granted bail on strict conditions, and will appear again on Thursday at Tralee District Court.