Choirboys, criminals and elderly caught in Derry bomb plot

Published on Monday 28 March 2011 18:10

DOZENS of elderly residents and choirboys as young as seven were caught up in a potentially murderous bomb plot outside a Northern Ireland courthouse.

Dissident republicans suspected of planting the car bomb in Londonderry were intent on causing murder and destruction, the Stormont justice minister said.

David Ford spoke out after police confirmed the device abandoned in a stolen Vauxhall Astra contained 50kg of homemade explosives packed into a beer keg.

Dozens of elderly residents were moved from a sheltered housing scheme in the city as a security operation was launched around the Bishop Street area after a telephone bomb warning at 6:45pm on Sunday.

Choirboys, some as young as seven, were told to get out of the nearby St Columb's Cathedral, while hearings at the courthouse were moved to other courts.

Mr Ford said: "It is clear that those responsible for this attempted bomb attack were intent on causing murder and destruction and I wholeheartedly condemn their actions.

"I am very thankful that no-one was injured. It is particularly sad to note that it was some of the most vulnerable people in our society, children and the elderly, who were most disrupted by this incident.

"I welcome the co-operation from the local community during what I am sure has been an anxious time, and I am confident that the people of Derry will stand in unison to condemn this attempted attack on their city."

The district commander, Chief Superintendent Stephen Martin, said dissident republicans from either the Oglaigh na hEireann or Real IRA groups were thought to be responsible for the bomb.

He added: "There is no such thing as complete security. The difficulty we face is that while we have a number of people, albeit small in number, who are willing to set their faces against the wishes of the majority, unfortunately we will see some acts like this occur again."

The police said the car, a green Astra with the registration V594 EBF, was stolen on Sunday in Derry. It is two years since the threat from dissident republicans in Northern Ireland was escalated to "severe". The groups have been particularly active in the Derry area.

Foyle MP Mark Durkan said: "This was a viable device which seems to be on a significant scale… If those behind this think they are doing something to damage the legal system, they are not. They are just damaging the people of Derry - damaging their daily lives as they go about their business in these very difficult times for everyone."After a number of controlled explosions were carried out on the device, Sinn Fein Assembly candidate Martina Anderson said the bombers offered nothing for the future.

"The people's focus will be back on building for the future as soon as the debris is cleared, but you will still be stuck in the past with not a progressive thought between you," she said.

"So get real, pack up your tent and go home. The peace and political processes will continue to strengthen in spite of the wreckers." l The family of a Northern Ireland schoolgirl shot dead by the British Army said a government apology yesterday had not brought closure.

Majella O'Hare, 12, was hit by two bullets in the back after she walked past a checkpoint in Whitecross, South Armagh, in 1976. An apology from the Ministry of Defence was handed to her elderly mother Mary and family at Hillsborough, Co Down, yesterday, but Majella's brother Michael said: "It is not closure but we have moved along the way. It has been a long time coming."