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23/05/2011
Police Cancel Derry Bomb Briefing
Mystery surrounds a decision by the police not to proceed with a media briefing on a bomb attack at the weekend.
The PSNI have now said they will not now be releasing more information on Monday about the bomb attack at a bank in Londonderry and said instead they may hold a media facility later this week.
This is the latest twist after the shock terror outrage when masked men threw a holdall containing the bomb into the Santander branch in the Diamond just after midday on Saturday.
Police cleared the area and the bomb exploded an hour later. No one was injured.
The bank sustained significant damage was caused inside the building.
The PSNI said that three masked men had entered premises in the Diamond area of Derry City. The men told staff they had a bomb that would explode in one hour.
"The area was evacuated and at approximately 1.20pm the device exploded. There are no reports of any injuries. An investigation into the explosion is ongoing.
"Police continued to check the area and a number of other reported security alerts were not found to be suspicious," said a PSNI statement.
Responding to the incident Chief Inspector Jon Burrows said: "I would like to express my thanks to the people of Derry for their patience while we attend to the security operations of today.
"This despicable act has been a costly day to the people and traders in our vibrant city on the busiest day of the week. The cost is in fact in the hundreds of thousands of pounds.
"The city centre was brought to a standstill and many organised events, including a children's cancer charity raising event, were ruined as a consequence.
"I am in no doubt that the device that exploded was set to injure or maim innocent members of the public and it is due to the efficient evacuations set in place in the surrounding areas that no-one came to any harm".
He also issued an appeal for anyone with any information about the explosion to contact Strand Road Police Station on 0845 600 8000. Or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Commenting, Sinn Fein Councillor Gerry MacLochlainn has hit out at those who planted a bomb in Derry city centre as being devoid of any strategy to unite Ireland.
"The people who planted this bomb need to tell the people of Derry how it will contribute to bringing about the new Ireland Republicans are striving for.
"The attack on a building society will not affect the global financial institutions nor the constitutional position of the North of Ireland but will seriously jeopardise jobs in the local economy.
"Not only are the jobs in the local branch now at risk but we will also have an effect on the tourism industry with people feeling Derry is unsafe to travel to.
"The city centre will now be closed for the rest of the day on what is the busiest shopping day of the week and the only people being disrupted by this attack are the citizens of this city," he said.
The Alliance Chief Whip Stewart Dickson MLA has also expressed his disgust at those behind the explosion: "There is no support for the actions of the dissidents.
"If anybody has any information about this explosion then they must contact the police. These terrorists must be stopped now."
(BMcC/GK)
The PSNI have now said they will not now be releasing more information on Monday about the bomb attack at a bank in Londonderry and said instead they may hold a media facility later this week.
This is the latest twist after the shock terror outrage when masked men threw a holdall containing the bomb into the Santander branch in the Diamond just after midday on Saturday.
Police cleared the area and the bomb exploded an hour later. No one was injured.
The bank sustained significant damage was caused inside the building.
The PSNI said that three masked men had entered premises in the Diamond area of Derry City. The men told staff they had a bomb that would explode in one hour.
"The area was evacuated and at approximately 1.20pm the device exploded. There are no reports of any injuries. An investigation into the explosion is ongoing.
"Police continued to check the area and a number of other reported security alerts were not found to be suspicious," said a PSNI statement.
Responding to the incident Chief Inspector Jon Burrows said: "I would like to express my thanks to the people of Derry for their patience while we attend to the security operations of today.
"This despicable act has been a costly day to the people and traders in our vibrant city on the busiest day of the week. The cost is in fact in the hundreds of thousands of pounds.
"The city centre was brought to a standstill and many organised events, including a children's cancer charity raising event, were ruined as a consequence.
"I am in no doubt that the device that exploded was set to injure or maim innocent members of the public and it is due to the efficient evacuations set in place in the surrounding areas that no-one came to any harm".
He also issued an appeal for anyone with any information about the explosion to contact Strand Road Police Station on 0845 600 8000. Or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Commenting, Sinn Fein Councillor Gerry MacLochlainn has hit out at those who planted a bomb in Derry city centre as being devoid of any strategy to unite Ireland.
"The people who planted this bomb need to tell the people of Derry how it will contribute to bringing about the new Ireland Republicans are striving for.
"The attack on a building society will not affect the global financial institutions nor the constitutional position of the North of Ireland but will seriously jeopardise jobs in the local economy.
"Not only are the jobs in the local branch now at risk but we will also have an effect on the tourism industry with people feeling Derry is unsafe to travel to.
"The city centre will now be closed for the rest of the day on what is the busiest shopping day of the week and the only people being disrupted by this attack are the citizens of this city," he said.
The Alliance Chief Whip Stewart Dickson MLA has also expressed his disgust at those behind the explosion: "There is no support for the actions of the dissidents.
"If anybody has any information about this explosion then they must contact the police. These terrorists must be stopped now."
(BMcC/GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Another cloudy and mild night with the odd spot of light drizzle. More widespread outbreaks of rain will spread southeast into western parts of Tyrone, Fermanagh and Derry late in the night. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
