20/01/2012

Derry Bombs Were By 'Desperate Minority' – FF

A Fianna Fail TD has called the group behind two explosive devices in Derry a "desperate minority".

On Friday morning, police in Derry claimed dissident republicans were responsible for the two bomb attacks on Thursday night.

The bombs were located at a tourist centre on Foyle Street and the other near the Department of Social Security's office on Strand Road.

Two telephone bomb warnings were received at 7.33pm and 7.48pm. The first bomb exploded at 8.44pm and the second four minutes later.

No one was injured during the attack but a number of people had to be evacuated.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Seán Ó Fearghaíl said the explosions caused unnecessary fear and could have caused serious injuries.

"[These] were desperate actions carried out by people intent on destroying peace and reconciliation.”

“These actions have no place in society today and have been overwhelmingly rejected by the public. They are merely the cowardly acts of a hard-line minority who have refused to accept the will of the people.

“I welcome the comments from Justice Minister David Forde, the political parties and community leaders who have condemned these explosions in the strongest possible terms.

First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness condemned the attacks.

The First Minister said: "With the launch of NI 2012 ‘Your Time, Our Place’ in London on Wednesday we were showcasing all that was good in Northern Ireland and the benefits it has to offer. Last night we witnessed the actions of people who have nothing to offer and seem intent on bringing us back to the bad old days. They will not succeed. Their actions, in bringing disruption and fear to the local community, are reprehensible."

The deputy First Minister said: "These are attacks on the people of the city. Those responsible must be apprehended quickly and brought before the courts. Derry has so much to look forward to in the next couple of years, yet some people seem set on causing mayhem and causing as much disruption as possible. The attack on the Tourist Office is a direct attack on the potential brought about through the City of Culture recognition and the upcoming All-Ireland Fleadh bid. These attacks serve no purpose - theirs is an agenda of the past; ours is of the future. Their actions will be universally condemned."

(DW)

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