Blatant disregard shown by bombers

THE local police commander has said those who planted a bomb in Lurgan at the weekend showed blatant disregard for lives of people in the community.
Launching the Policing and Community Safety Partnership Violent Crime campaign were (from left) Sarah Wilson Craigavon Borough Council PCSP Manager; Cllr Alan Carson, Chair of the PCSP; Chief Inspector Anthony McNally, Area Commander PSNI and Alison Clenaghan, Craigavon Borough Council PCSP Manager. RicPics. 05/11/12.Launching the Policing and Community Safety Partnership Violent Crime campaign were (from left) Sarah Wilson Craigavon Borough Council PCSP Manager; Cllr Alan Carson, Chair of the PCSP; Chief Inspector Anthony McNally, Area Commander PSNI and Alison Clenaghan, Craigavon Borough Council PCSP Manager. RicPics. 05/11/12.
Launching the Policing and Community Safety Partnership Violent Crime campaign were (from left) Sarah Wilson Craigavon Borough Council PCSP Manager; Cllr Alan Carson, Chair of the PCSP; Chief Inspector Anthony McNally, Area Commander PSNI and Alison Clenaghan, Craigavon Borough Council PCSP Manager. RicPics. 05/11/12.

At 3pm on Saturday police were in the north Lurgan area to monitor an un-notified parade.

An explosion occurred close to two police Land Rovers, with shrapnel and debris scattered a large distance, narrowly missing officers.

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During a follow up police operation in the Kilwilkie area of the town, a number of petrol bombs were thrown at officers at approximately 3am. There were no injuries in either incident.

Chief Inspector Anthony McNally said it was fortunate no one had been killed or seriously injured.

He said: “Those who left this device showed no regard for the safety of anyone in the area.

“This was a callous and indiscriminate attack. We believe the device was left in a dog waste bin and shrapnel from it could have killed or seriously injured anyone close by, police officers or local people alike.

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“Indeed, a car had just passed by the bin seconds before the explosion occurred.”

Police believe this was an attack by dissident republicans.

Chief Inspector McNally added: “Those involved in this attack have no place in modern day Northern Ireland. They showed a blatant disregard for the local community, as anyone could have approached this bin as it exploded.”

He added: “We want to reassure the community that we will not be deterred by this attack by individuals intent on dragging us back to the past. Local police will continue to deliver the personal, professional and protective service that the vast majority of residents in the North Lurgan area want to see” .

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact detectives in Lurgan on 0845 600 8000, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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