Fatal dissident bomb 'only a matter of time'

It is only a matter of time before dissident republicans responsible for a string of bomb attacks claim another victim, a senior police officer in the North warned today.

Assistant Chief Constable Drew Harris hit out after members of the public narrowly escaped injury when a car bomb exploded outside a police station in Derry at 3.20am.

A taxi driver had been hijacked in the city and forced to drive his car to the station after a device containing 200lbs of homemade explosive was loaded on board.

A telephoned bomb warning from the Real IRA told police the device would go off in 45 minutes, but it detonated in half that time while the area surrounding Strand Road station was still being evacuated.

While senior politicians condemned the attack, Mr Harris said it was a miracle no one was injured.

“A substantial device was delivered in a hijacked vehicle, a hijacked taxi which had been taken earlier in the evening – a substantial device which has caused damage to the station but quite substantial damage also to other properties,” said Mr Harris, who is also the head of crime operations for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

“Again we have been very lucky that there hasn’t been casualties or fatalities in this type of reckless attack, and these are reckless attacks, the warning times are insufficient to ensure safe clearance and we have to be very concerned that it’s only a matter of time before people are very seriously injured or even indeed killed in these types of murderous attacks.”

He said the dissident threat remained high, with 30 attacks recorded so far this year. But the senior officer said police had made 147 arrests in 2010, resulting in 38 charges, compared with 19 charges last year.

He added: “A major investigation team will be dealing with this investigation and carry it forward and that is to ensure that every evidential opportunity is pursued.”

Police said two men, one armed with a gun, hijacked the taxi driver shortly before 3am.

The bomb was loaded into his car and he was forced to drive to the police station.

Officers were evacuating the area when the device exploded.

Damage was caused to the heavily fortified station, plus surrounding buildings including a nursing home and apartments.

The attack comes weeks after Derry was boosted by the positive response to the Saville Inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday and after it was named UK City of Culture.

Deputy First Minister and Derry representative Martin McGuinness said the dissidents behind the attack were out of step with the people of Ireland.

“This is a futile and cynical attempt to try to take us back to conflict and division. We will not allow them to do so,” he said.

“The people clearly support the institutions and we will remain united in our resolve to work together for the greater good.

“Derry is looking to the future and playing a full part in building an inclusive peaceful society in which progress will be made through dialogue and agreement.

“This attack offers nothing and it will not break the spirit of the community of Derry or elsewhere.”

First Minister Peter Robinson said: “Today we are thankful that there was no loss of life in Londonderry. This mindless attack was undoubtedly intended to kill PSNI officers and civilians.

“The perpetrators have nothing to offer society and I reaffirm my determination to ensure that they do not succeed in dragging us back to the past. Using a taxi driver to deliver the device shows the cowardice of those behind the attack and my sympathies are with him and all those targeted.

“I appeal to anyone with information to help the police to ensure that those responsible are caught and brought to justice. As a community, we must send out a strong signal that there is no place in society for those who would use the bomb and the bullet.”

The area’s MP, Mark Durkan, condemned the bombers: “Those responsible for this incident have achieved nothing and this campaign of violence will achieve nothing.”

East Derry DUP MP Gregory Campbell called for strong action against dissidents.

“It is essential that not only words of condemnation follow these attacks but action flows from them as well,” he said.

“Describing the perpetrators as ’evil’ or ’traitors’ is accurate, as far as it goes, but what is required to prevent re-occurrence is information, evidence, prosecution, conviction in a court followed by lengthy prison sentences.”

Justice Minister David Ford said: “Last night’s car bomb attack on the people of Derry is once again a reminder that those who carried out this mindless attack have no regard for human life.

“I commend the bravery of those police officers who risked their lives in trying to warn those in the vicinity of the attack.”