Police in Northern Ireland blame the New IRA for planting a bomb at a police officer's car beside where her three-year-old daughter sits

Police have blamed the New IRA for planting a bomb at a police officer's car beside where her three-year-old daughter sits.

The device left at the part-time female officer's home near Dungiven, Co Derry, was attached to a container of flammable liquid.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan branded the murder bid by the dissident extremists as "despicable and cowardly".

The device, which did not detonate, was designed to create a fireball, Mr McEwan said.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan speaking to media at PSNI headquarters in east Belfast, the police believe the dissident republican group the New IRA were behind a bomb attack on a young female office in Co Londonderry. Picture date: Tuesday April 20, 2021 Photo credit: Rebecca Black/PA Wire

He said the child's seat was in the car and the terror group would have been aware of it.

"We will be unrelenting in our efforts in bringing these people to justice," he said.

"We believe this group would have known this is where the daughter would sit and they have shown no regard for this whatsoever.

"They know the effect if this device donated, it would have engulfed the car completely and those in it.

"It's time for people to examine their conscience. Is this the sort of group they want to support? A group that has shown complete disregard for young people and now we have another callous attack where a mother and a toddler were the potential victims."

The New IRA is one of the most active dissident republican terrorist groups in Northern Ireland. It was blamed for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee during disorder in Londonderry in 2019.

Formed in 2012, the group has also been blamed for detonating a large car bomb outside the court house in Derry in January 2019, as well as sending parcel bombs to addresses in Great Britain in March of the same year.

The latest target is a woman who is a member of PSNI civilian staff, and also serves as a part-time officer.

Chief Constable Simon Byrne tweeted: "I strongly condemn this outrageous attack on our officer and her family.

"Every day @PoliceServiceNI officers and staff bravely step up to serve the community and this attempt to harm is a stark reminder of the challenges still facing us all."

Mark Lindsay, chair of the police representative body, the Police Federation, said it is "appalling the officer was singled out in this manner".

"Her dedication to serving the community is in stark contrast to those involved in this attack” he said.

Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster said: "I stand, as does my entire party, with the brave woman targeted by republicans and utterly condemn those who have sought to harm her and her family.

"I do give thanks that she has survived this dreadful murder attempt and when I spoke to this lady earlier, I gave her my prayerful support.

"To the republicans who sought to murder this young mother, your campaign is futile, you will never succeed and whilst there may always be different political views in Northern Ireland, we will keep moving forward and we will not be dragged back by bombers or those who would seek to use the gun to get their own political way."

Irish premier Micheal Martin tweeted: "Deeply reprehensible and cowardly attack on the home of a police officer in Northern Ireland last night. Politicians across this island must work together to avoid a return to the dark days of fear and terror."

Reporting by PA

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