Dissidents blamed for bomb attack on police station

Political leaders today condemned dissident republicans believed to be responsible for a car bomb attack on a police station in the North.

There were no initial reports of injuries after a taxi driver was forced at gunpoint to drive the device to Derry’s Strand Road police station.

The car bomb exploded at around 3.20am.

The area of the blast was cordoned off today and police warned of major disruption as they examined the scene.

Officers were also investigating reports of an explosion at Brownlow police station in Craigavon, Co Armagh.

They said a blast bomb may have been hurled at the station, but have yet to confirm an attack.

Police said there was no immediate sign of damage and no injuries.

But after widespread damage was caused by the bomb, the area’s MP, Mark Durkan, condemned those behind the attack.

The SDLP politician said: “This was a cowardly, dangerous and vulgar act.

“It is extremely fortunate that no injury has been caused or life lost as a result of this attack.

“Those responsible for this incident have achieved nothing and this campaign of violence will achieve nothing.”

Meanwhile, Mr Eastwood blamed dissident republicans for the attack in Derry.

“There seems to be a lot of wreckage. The car is completely destroyed and it seems businesses across the street have been destroyed as well,” he said.

“Police didn’t even have time to evacuate a nursing home or apartments right beside the police station.”

The mayor told the BBC: “We are very lucky today not to be talking about fatalities. It’s an attack not just on the police but the entire community.”