Condemnation follows bomb at the City of Culture offices

The PSNI in Londonderry had received reports of an explosion at Custom House Street at approximately 3.30am. No one was injured in the blast.

A statement from police in the city later confirmed that a "small device exploded at the City of Culture offices causing some damage to the door."

Londonderry was awarded the title of UK City Of Culture in 2010 and will become the first city to host the event in 2013.

Army Technical Officers attended the scene on Monday and forensics experts gathered evidence. Disruption to business and pedestrian access to the scene of the explosion was kept to a minimum despite a substantial portion of access routes to the city centre being blocked off. All routes which were affected were re-opened by 12.30pm on Monday.

The Real IRA has since claimed responsibility for the attacjk.

And, at the beginning of January mainstream political parties in Londonderry released a joint statement urging dissident republicans to end violence. The appeal came on January 3 in a New Year statement signed by senior representatives of the DUP, UUP, SDLP and Sinn Fin. Signatories to the statement included both MPs from County Londonderry, Gregory Campbell and Mark Durkan.

Gregory Campbell said the joint statement was directed at "99.9% of the wider community who don't want this violence to continue. If we don't want this violence to continue then we all have a duty to ensure it doesn't."

However, the joint statement was swiftly rejected by the Real IRA - linked 32 County Sovereignty Movement (32 CSM) in the city. Spokesman for the 32CSM in Londonderry, Gary Donnelly said: "There is nothing new in constitutional nationalists and unionist parties calling for an end to military resistance to British rule. There have also been similar appeals from Popes, presidents, trade unionists and Peace people in the past and their call was not answered and I'd imagine that this call will meet with a similar response."

In September 2010, a section of a 32CSM website announced that: "The 32 County Sovereignty Movement in Derry City will be launching a poster campaign in opposition to the crowning of Derry City with the inaugural British (UK) city of culture."

In the wake of Monday's attack DUP Councillor in Londonderry Gary Middleton said: "It's about time these people caught up with the rest of society. We can't allow these attacks to take us back to where we where before.

"All right minded people will condemn this. There will always be these organisations that will try to put aside all the hard work that has been done. The way forward is for people to tell the police any information they may have to get these people brought to justice."

Church of Ireland Bishop Ken Good said: "Those who took it upon themselves to set off an explosion in Guildhall Square display a shortsightedness that is breathtaking. This city has a growing desire to move forward peacefully and positively. This is a city of Culture, a city of enterprise, a city of welcome, a city of hope. Those who placed this explosive device seek to extinguish this growing sense of hope. However, our hope will not be extinguished. Its roots are already too strong."

Mayor of Londonderry, SDLP councillor Colum Eastwood said those responsible for the attack had mounted an attack on the people of the city.

"This device was planted in the heart of Derry, outside the City of Culture office where people are working to bring jobs and investment to our city. The vast majority of people in our city reject the senseless campaign of those responsible for this intimidation and will not be deterred by these terrorists in our quest for a better future," he said.

The Manager of Derry City Centre Initiative, Jim Roddy said: "I think it is ludicrous. People are trying to get to work this morning, but some other people think they shouldn't be allowed to go about their business."

"What is important is that the citizens of Derry stand together and ensure that the very tiny minority who want to stop the city operating properly do not succeed."MP for Foyle. former SDLP leader Mark Durkan, also hit out at the attackers. He said: "I utterly condemn this attack. So-called dissidents are literally waging an anti-Derry campaign and showing themselves to be the enemies of the people of this city.

"They have nothing to offer Derry. They are only attacking what this city has to offer."

The UUP's Mary Hamilton also condemned the attack.

"The logic of this attack is that these people may put themselves out of jobs which is what the City of Culture hopes to achieve," she said.

Sinn Fein in the city also added their condemnation to the attack. Councillor Paul Fleming said: "There are people working very hard at the City of Culture offices to attract investment, tourism and job creation for the citizens of Derry. And working to ensure that Irish culture in fully included in the plans for Derry in 2013. The last thing they need is incidents like this taking place which is attempting to undermine that good work."

Police in Londonderry have appealed for any witnesses to the attack to come forward. A spokeswoman said police are particularly interested in speaking to taxi drivers who were operating at the time and who may have picked up two men wearing dark clothing. Anyone who has information about the incident is asked to contact detectives at Strand Road on 0845 600 8000 or a member of your local Neighbourhood Team directly.