A BOMB which was found in the Creggan area of Derry was planted “to murder community police officers”, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
The device was found hidden in a parked vehicle on Monday, September 9th following a large-scale search.
Assistant Chief Constable for District Policing Mark Hamilton has said that “a clearance operation was commenced with a number of families being asked to leave their homes for their own safety.”
“We assess that this device was to be used against a police patrol in the Creggan area of the city.”
He went on to say that “the New IRA is responsible for this bomb”, which “would have killed or maimed anyone near it when it detonated.”
“Whilst it is the clear intention of the New IRA to murder community police officers trying to keep the community in Derry/Londonderry safe, it is also very clear that NIRA have a total disregard for the lives of everyone living in Creggan.
By bringing a viable bomb into the community they have again proved that have no regard for the lives of anyone living in Creggan. Once again they exploited some of the young people in the community to attack police and have brought disruption and misery to families.”
The discovery of the bomb led to riots in the area, with youths caught on camera throwing petrol bombs at police vans. No police officers were injured, however “at least two young people sustained burn injuries when they tried to use petrol bombs to attack the police cordon.”
A full terrorist investigation has been launched to determine the details of the incident. Anyone with any information regarding the bomb or the subsequent riots have been encouraged to contact Strand Road police on 0845 600 8000.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions caused by the threat of a No-Deal Brexit, which could mean the return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
People on social media have voiced their concerns of similarities between today’s incident and the sectarian violence which for so long prevailed in the North.
A documentary detailing the lead-up to the 30-year-long ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland begins tonight on BBC.
See More: Bomb, Creggan, Derry, New IRA, Northern Ireland
