Massive bomb ‘ready for use’

DISSIDENT republicans abandoned a massive van bomb near the Foyle Bridge in Derry, a senior police officer said yesterday.

The 600lb device, which was made safe by army bomb disposal experts, was primed and ready for use, said Chief Inspector George Brien.

“It has all the hallmarks of a dissident republican device. We don’t know yet what the target was but it is clear it was intended for an imminent attack,” he said.

Police intercepted the bomb after noticing a suspicious vehicle on the Foyle Bridge early yesterday.

Mr Brien said most of the attacksin the area by dissident republicans groups in recent years were targeted at security bases.

He said it would have caused a massive amount of damage had it exploded.

Ulster Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson said he believed dissident republicans were behind the attack.

“It demonstrates whatever the mainstream IRA does there is still a very potent threat out there from republican terrorists,” he said.