Car bomb ‘was attempted murder’- PSNI

The man and woman were at home when suspicious activity was observed outside their Glenrandel home at around 2.45am this morning (Thursday) and the bomb found underneath the vehicle.

At a press conference at Strand Road PSNI Station this morning, Derry City and Strabane District Commander Superintendant Mark McEwan said that the male officer who lived at the address and whose car was targeted has served in Londonderry.

“What we are dealing with is the attempted murder of a police officer,” he said.

“If circumstances had been different we could have looking at the death of an officer or the death or serious injury of somebody else.

“This is an officer who serves this community day and daily, he goes about his duty protecting the vulnerable, keeping people safe, and someone has crept in under cover of darkness and planted a bomb underneath his car.

“That has been done clearly with intent to kill or seriously injure that police officer and that’s been done with total regard for anyone else in what is a residential area.”

Supt. McEwan spoke to the couple this morning following the attempted bombing, which church leaders in the city this afternoon branded “evil”.

Confirming that there were people in the house at the time, but no children were present, he said: “They are dealing with this in a very calm and professional way, I have to say, but they are human beings.

“This is a couple here, they have children, they are somebody’s son, somebody’s daughter and somebody has put a bomb outside their house, So there is a real impact, a real human impact on not only the officers but on that community.”

He added; “There is a number of things we will do to ensure their welfare and look after the officers.”

Supt. McEwan said the fact that the bomb attack was thwarted has averted a tragedy, adding that he has been inundated with phonecalls from people right across the city expressing outrage, condemning the attack and supporting the officer targeted.

He said that there were a number of lines of inquiry being pursued, but added that “the targeted focus is violent dissident Republicans”.

He also vowed that this “won’t deter us from continuing to do what we want to do,” adding that the threat level in the north remained severe with the safety of police officers and the community a major priority for the PSNI.

Neighbours of the officers from around 14 other properties in Glenrandel were evacuated in the early hours of this morning.

ATO later confirmed that the device used was a Under Vehicle Improvised Explosive Device capable of causing death or serious injury.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed any vehicles seen leaving the area at speed shortly after 2.45am to contact them.

Anyone with information should contact detectives at Strand Road on 101 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.