Former Policewoman Targeted In Pipe Bombing

It has emerged today that a pipe bomb left outside a house in Lawrencetown, Co Down, yesterday was aimed at a recently retired female police officer.

The PSNI said that the bomb was found in the Banbridge Road area of the village at about noon on Thursday and described it as an "abhorrent attack on a lady who has spent a large part of her life serving her community" adding that the female officer only left the PSNI recently.

Today, members of the NI Policing Board have condemned those responsible for the pipe bomb device.

Board Chair Brian Rea said: "Our thoughts are first and foremost with the retired officer and her family.

"During her career this officer served the whole community and I hope the wider community now give her full support after this despicable attack at her home.

"Board Members were informed of this attack at a meeting yesterday and the actions of those behind this incident were condemned by all Members present," he said.

Upper Bann MLA Jo-Anne Dobson has also condemned the incident as well.

The Ulster Unionist said: "This is a throwback to the past and many within our local community had felt that these incidents had been confined to the dustbin of history.

"Those who chose to leave this device clearly have little care for those who could have been killed as a result. It will have been frightening for residents and serves absolutely no purpose but to disrupt.

"These attacks only succeed in galvanising the determination of law abiding citizens to make sure these people do not impose their will and disrupt normal life.

"I commend the swift actions of the PSNI in clearing the area and evacuating the residents in a safe and orderly manner and the technical officers for making the device safe."

The Alliance South Down representative David Griffin has also said that it is deeply concerning that it was left outside the home belonging to a retired police officer, noting that the bomb did not explode and was dealt with by the police and Army.

"This is deeply concerning that this retired police officer appears to have been targeted by dissident terrorists. I deeply horrified by this attempted attack.

"In the past two years we have seen these terrorists target both serving and former police officers as well as those associated with the police.

"I would call on all those who could be potentially targeted to make sure that they take precautions against bombs of a similar nature to this," he said.

(BMcC/GK)