Call to identify Lurgan rioters

That was the message from a DUP delegation who met with police commanders last week in the wake of the no-warning bomb which injured three children.

The delegation also said dissident republicans had callously chosen to risk the lives of civilians in the attack.

The delegation comprising MP David Simpson, MLAs Sydney Anderson and Stephen Moutray, and Lurgan Councillor Carla Lockhart met with Superintendent Barbara Grey at Lurgan PSNI Station.

Speaking afterwards in a joint statement the DUP group said: “We welcome this very prompt opportunity to meet with the PSNI to discuss recent events including the bomb in Lurgan and outbreaks of civil disorder in the Craigavon area. We also had the opportunity to discuss wider policing concerns across the constituency.”

They went on: “We would again call for anyone with information regarding those responsible for the recent – near fatal - bomb attack in Lurgan to come forward to the PSNI. This so very nearly resulted in the murder of children.

"Those who planted this device did not make a mistake in endangering the lives of young children, rather they chose quite callously to risk such fatalities in pursuit of their goals. They are the enemies of all communities in Northern Ireland.

“We also reiterated our firm belief that just as with rioting in Belfast, so here too arrests should be made. Where necessary the release into the public domain of photographs of rioters ought to be employed so as to maximise the possibility of identification.

“We took the opportunity to again praise the courage and dedication of PSNI personnel and civilian support staff. They place themselves in danger on behalf of the law abiding community on a daily basis. They deserve our support and thanks.

"We would again urge the government to make sure that every needed resource is made available to the security services in their fight against those who would wish to drag Northern Ireland back into bloodshed and death.”