ATO move in at Currynierin

A PSNI spokeswoman said no access was permitted to the estate or Ardmore Road due to the ongoing security operation. She added that later this morning the police and army technical officers were due to carry out a further examination of the suspicious object found yesterday.

“The object was found during searches yesterday following telephone claims a device had been left,” she said.

Meanwhile, the officer in charge of the overnight operation, Chief Inspector Andy Lemon, reiterated police regret for the impact on the local community but has stressed that the main priority of police was to ensure the safety of that community.

The incident has been condemned by Ulster Unionist Chairman, Sir Reg Empey, who was in Londonderry last night for the UUP annual general meeting.

Paying tribute to the security forces for their ongoing service to the community, Sir Reg said that his thoughts were for the residents affected by the incident.

“I am sure it is a huge source of concern for local residents that, yet again, their lives are put to the one side, so that a small number of people can pursue their own selfish agenda,” he said.

Also condemning the incident, Claudy bomb survivor and UUP Alderman, Mary Hamilton said : “I would just like those responsible to take a step back and ask themselves what are they trying to achieve. When this is all over the trauma and the stress that these poor people in Currynierin have endured will remain with them for some years, and I speak as someone who knows what that feels like.”