The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)

Police probing possible New IRA bomb link

- JONATHAN MCCAMBRIDG­E AND DAVID YOUNG

Police are investigat­ing whether the New IRA was responsibl­e the attempted murder of two officers on patrol in County Tyrone.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) assistant chief constable Bobby Singleton said the location of the incident in Strabane and previous attacks made the involvemen­t of the dissident republican splinter group a “strong line of inquiry”.

Two officers escaped injury in the attack at Mount Carmel Heights after a bomb detonated at the side of their vehicle.

Police said they have discovered what could be a command wire for the improvised explosive device.

A major security alert was continuing in the area, affecting more than 1,000 residents and leaving some children unable to get to school.

Mr Singleton said PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne had met local officers in Strabane to offer his support.

Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O’neill said any attempt to kill officers was “reprehensi­ble”.

She tweeted: “Those involved in this attack will not succeed in dragging society backwards.”

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said: “Attempts on the life of police officers were wrong in the past and remain wrong today.

“There is always an alternativ­e to violence.

“Northern Ireland will not be held to ransom by fringe elements intent only on bloodshed and dragging our society backwards.”

Taoiseach Micheal Martin was in Newry, County Down, when news of the attack emerged.

He said: “I have just been hearing news overnight and we do need further clarity in terms of what happened here and I understand an investigat­ion is under way.

“But any such attempt to injure members of the security forces or the PSNI would be absolutely shocking and stands to be condemned.

“It is quite shocking, if that is the case, that something like that would happen.”

The Police Federation of Northern Ireland (PFNI) said the attack was a “desperate, reckless act to murder officers working for the entire community”.

PFNI chairman Liam Kelly said: “The terrorist goal was to cause heartache and misery and return Northern Ireland to the dark ages.

“The attackers wanted their roadside device to cause maximum damage and we are thankful they failed in their objective.

“Nothing is gained by such a callous, hate-filled incident.

“The terrorist threat is rated ‘substantia­l’ and I would appeal to all officers to step up their vigilance.

“This attack is a reminder to us all that terrorists are still active in our community.”

 ?? ?? BOMB: Police officers search the scene of the attack in Strabane, County Tyrone.
BOMB: Police officers search the scene of the attack in Strabane, County Tyrone.

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