Dissidents are shown the door

There has been widespread condemnation of the murder and a rapid response to attempts by dissident republican supporters to glorify the violence.

Yesterday, as residents of the Bogside scrubbed away offensive, misspelled graffiti gloating at the murder of the 25-year-old constable, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Ken Good said those responsible were “wholly unrepresentative of the community” adding that their views were those of “an increasingly isolated number of misguided individuals”.

Graffiti gloating at the Constable’s death first appeared just hours after his murder and was cleaned up. But yesterday morning more offensive slogans were scrawled across walls.

Community workers in the Bogside voiced people’s anger and residents moved quickly to remove the graffiti.

The Minister of First Derry Presbyterian Church, David Latimer, told those responsible: “We will intentionally focus on the preferred will of the overwhelming majority of the population, which is to build good relations and a better shared future.”

Meanwhile, election candidates from all parties have also united to show the small band of dissident activists the door.

Foyle candidate William Hay, from the DUP urged people to defy the men of violence and use the Local Government and Assembly elections to send the clear message to those intent on bombing Londonderry: “You will not win.”

The UUP meantime, are urging the electorate to come out and vote in numbers to “display once and for all to the people of violence that they have no place or role in a Northern Ireland which has embarked on and intends to stay on a democratic journey to real peace.”

Yesterday it was revealed that 100 police officers were now working on the murder of Constable Kerr, and that the Crimestoppers Charity had put up a £50,000 reward for information leading to the identity of the killers.

l For full reports and comment turn to Pages 4, 5 and 14.