Attempted murder of officer condemned

Widespread condemnation has followed the security alert in Eglinton, where a bomb was left under the car of a serving police officer.
The scene at Glenrandel in Eglinton during the security alert two weeks ago. PSNI have revisited the scene as part of their investigations.The scene at Glenrandel in Eglinton during the security alert two weeks ago. PSNI have revisited the scene as part of their investigations.
The scene at Glenrandel in Eglinton during the security alert two weeks ago. PSNI have revisited the scene as part of their investigations.

The security alert took place in the quiet Glenrandel estate in the village of Eglinton, near Londonderry.

Foyle DUP MLA Gary Middleton condemned those responsible: “This is a disgraceful attempt to murder a police officer who serves our community. Such acts of terrorism must be condemned because they are wrong, and not simply because those carrying them out have no support for their actions.

People in the Eglinton area are shocked by this attempt to bring death and destruction into their community and I know that everyone will stand in solidarity with this officer and his family.

The scene from Glenrandel as ATO carried out a controlled explosionThe scene from Glenrandel as ATO carried out a controlled explosion
The scene from Glenrandel as ATO carried out a controlled explosion

It is vital that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.”

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan also strongly condemned those responsible for planting a bomb under the car of a serving police officer in Eglinton on the outskirts of Derry.

Mr Durkan said: “I utterly condemn this attack – carried out by people steeped in the mind-set and means of past violence.

“These people are capable of using a viable device, but they don’t actually have a viable political strategy, no coherent message and it is not what the community want.

The scene from Glenrandel where ATO carried out a controlled explosionThe scene from Glenrandel where ATO carried out a controlled explosion
The scene from Glenrandel where ATO carried out a controlled explosion

“Let’s be very clear about the support and sympathy and solidarity that we are offering to the police officer concerned.

“Indeed, it is vital we stand strong and united today in offering our support to the entire policing family after such an attack – which demonstrates just how vulnerable any individual can be.

“The real patriots are police officers serving all in the community, not those intent on plunging us back to the ugliness and helplessness of the past.

“No matter what other issues, differences or difficulties there are, one solid and compelling message that must go out to so-called dissidents is that we are not standing still. We are moving forward on the path of democracy and reconciliation that we have decided upon, and we will take the necessary decisions and steps to bring that to a conclusion and to defeat their evil and negative agenda.”

DUP Councillor Maurice Devenney said: “This is yet another example of the cowardly elements within our society who show no regard for the safety of our local residents and the police officers who serve their community We have to be thankful that this attack was thwarted and no one was injured I have said it in the past that the thugs who carry out these type of attacks will not succeed and I and my DUP colleagues will continue to condemn these type of attacks no matter who carries them out Once again we have disruption residents having to leave their homes in the early hours of the morning some elderly with serious health issues Eglinton is a very settled community and the people I have spoken to are disgusted and outraged that this type of attack that has happened in their village I will make it very clear my support and solidarity for the police officer concerned I would appeal to anyone with information to pass it on to the PSNI.”

Leaders of the four main churches in Londonderry have issued a joint statement condemning the attempted murder of the police officer.

Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop Ken Good, Dr Robert Buick and the Rev Peter Murray issued the statement as they met with senior police at Strand Road this afternoon.

In their statement the church leaders said: “We are appalled at the despicable attempt to murder a police officer in Eglinton this morning, and thankful and relieved that the attack was thwarted.

There can be no justification for the attempted murder. It was wrong. It was evil. It was reckless. The police have said those who left the device endangered not only the police officer but other people living in the area.

“Like the vast majority of people in our community, we had hoped that attacks like this had become a thing of the past. The use of violence has been rejected repeatedly and overwhelmingly by our community, so today’s attempted murder was an assault on us, too, and on our aspiration for a better society.

“Our people want to move forward – together – towards a better and brighter future. The bombers seem intent on taking us backwards and keeping us apart.They must not succeed.

“We, as church leaders, offer our support and prayers to the police officer who was targeted this morning and appeal for anyone with information about the incident to share it with the PSNI.”