Bus bomb condemnation

In a statement this morning, Thursday, Mr Reilly said he condemned those responsible for the incident in which a bus driver was ordered to drive to Strand Road police station with a device on board. The Mayor, paying tribute to the driver of the bus, said she showed immense courage in such difficult circumstances.

“This type of an attack is an attack on the entire community and is a very worrying flashback to the past. It was a total reckless act that put many innocent lives at risk and I would urge the public who have any information to contact the PSNI directly.”

Justice Minister David Ford has also condemned the attack, saying: “I call on those who were involved in planning this attempted attack, involving a viable explosive device, to explain to the community why they risked the lives of local people who were on the bus, including the driver who was serving that community.

“I expect that they will not respond because there can be no justification for this action or indeed any terrorist action. I know that almost without exception the community in Derry will be appalled by this act. I can assure them that the criminal justice agencies will pursue the perpetrators. I call on the community to help the police in bringing these individuals to justice.”

He, too, appealed for anyone with information to contact the PSNI or Crimestoppers.