Derry blast blamed on dissidents

A small bomb exploded today at a busy shopping area in the North in what is believed to be the latest in a series of attacks by dissident republicans opposed to the peace process.

The blast damaged a branch of the Santander bank in Shipquay Street, Derry, but the area had been evacuated following a warning and there were no injuries.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said: “There has been an explosion in Shipquay Street in Derry.

“The area was evacuated at the time and there are no reports of any injuries.

“The security operation is continuing.”

The explosion came the day after the Queen finished her four-day state visit to the Republic which was heavily policed amid tight security.

The North has been on high alert for a dissident republican attack for some time.

There have been a series of attacks on police officers and police stations in the North West, including Derry.

Its main police station has been targeted and an off-duty policeman was shot outside a school in the city.

Last month Constable Ronan Kerr, 25, died when a booby trap device exploded under his car in Omagh, Co Tyrone.

Dissident republicans have also tried to attack the Policing Board headquarters in Belfast and several police stations.

Sinn Féin councillor Gerry MacLochlainn condemned those behind today’s attack.

“Thankfully this was a small device and no injuries and no serious damage was caused and the people who carried out the attack need to realise that they have been rejected by the republican community and should desist immediately,” he said.

“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.”

Sinn Féin Stormont Assembly member Martina Anderson said the explosion happened inside a branch of Santander. There had been a warning and the area was evacuated. The device was small and any damage was confined to the inside of the shop.

“It was a loud thud,” she said.

She said there were reports of a second device being investigated at a Halifax branch in the city.

According to local sources, the device was carried in a bag into the building by two masked men then left on the floor with customers present, before the culprits made their escape.

DUP First Minister Peter Robinson said: “This bomb was deliberately placed in one of the busiest areas of the city and was designed to murder innocent people as they shopped on a Saturday afternoon.

“The perpetrators of this disgusting attack have no regard for human life. Indeed if it were not for the vigilance of the security forces we could have been faced with a far greater tragedy this afternoon.

“The people of Londonderry and of Northern Ireland have made it clear in our recent elections that they have no wish to return to the dark days of the past. There is no support for those who wish to destroy and divide us with this type of evil and callous attack. They will not succeed.”

Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said those who carried out the attack had no mandate.

“Those who carried it out need to realise that such an attack only hardens our resolve to ensure that peace survives and continues to flourish,” he added.

“The people of Derry have worked hard to build a city that is peaceful and inclusive. Their hard work will not be undone by today’s mindless act.”