Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Dissidents in murder bid on PSNI officers
Outrage after viable device found
DISSIDENT republican terrorists were behind an attempted murder on PSNI officers early yesterday, police have said.
Officers responded to a call around midnight from a member of the public reporting a “loud bang” in the Tullygally Road area of Craigavon, Co Armagh.
A short time later police told how they were alerted by a Belfast-based newspaper which reported a call had been made to it reporting a device had been thrown at a patrol “but missed its target”.
Police said they believe it was a viable device and the report of the loud bang may have been an attempt to “lure officers” into the area as no patrols were in the area at the time of the reported bang.
Chief Superintendent Peter Farrar added: “We responded to these two reports, along with ATO colleagues, and a suspicious object was located. A full security clearance operation was implemented. At this stage we believe the device is viable and that this was an attempt by dissident republican terrorists to murder police officers.
“We believe that this initial ‘loud bang’ may have been an attempt to lure police officers to the area. This will form part of our investigation.
“I cannot condemn strongly enough those behind this cowardly and despicable act of terrorism.
“They offer nothing to this community and their actions here do not reflect the wishes of the vast majority of the lawabiding residents of this area.” DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley said: “The actions of a few mindless individuals could have resulted in a scene of devastation today.
“Their actions are totally reprehensible and there must be condemnation from all sections of the community.”
Sinn Fein’s John O’Dowd added: “Those responsible for this incident have nothing to offer the local community or society as a whole.
“They need to end these futile actions immediately and let the community here live in peace.”