City of Culture office bombed -- Stormont Watch

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, [5], 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: Thu, Oct 13 2011, 20:30:15 PDT
Author: Forum Admin
Subject: City of Culture office bombed

Bomb blast at City of Culture offices
UTV News 13/10/11

A bomb has exploded at the City of Culture offices in Londonderry, an hour after it was discovered by police.

It is understood police were alerted to the possibility that a device had been planted in the area at around 9.45pm. The bomb exploded shortly before 11pm.

Officers sent to patrol the area spotted a package lying against the front door of the City of Culture office. They cleared the area before the device detonated.

Army bomb experts attended the scene of the explosion at Shipquay Street on Wednesday night, as the area remained sealed off.

It is not yet known what kind of damage has been caused to the premises in the blast, but there have been no reports of any injuries.

It is the second time the premises has been bombed. In January, dissident republicans left a device, which detonated causing minor damage to the exterior.

At the scene, UTV's North West correspondent Mark McFadden said: "Police sources say they suspect dissident republicans, who have been fairly active in the North West area throughout this year, are behind the attack."

Former SDLP Mayor of Derry Colum Eastwood says he has no doubts dissident republicans were responsible for the blast.

Foyle MP Mark Durkan said those responsible for the device "have shown complete and utter contempt for the city".

"Derry is a city with many challenges and with many difficulties. But the City of Culture is one of the opportunities we have.

"This callous and dangerous act flies in the face of the efforts made by so many people to improve life here. Thankfully no-one has been injured but those graces are no thanks to those who are behind this attack.

"They are out to destroy and they don't care if they injure or kill when they are at it."

UUP leader Tom Elliott said: "It is shameful that we continue to have people who are determined to bring death and destruction to Northern Ireland. Surely its time that these paramilitaries realised they don't have support for their actions.

"While many are attempting to ensure that this province is a progressive society and working hard to develop sustainable communities, these terrorists want to destroy that good work.

"I say shame on them for their actions," said Mr Elliott.

Alliance Policing Board member Trevor Lunn has also expressed his outrage at the explosion.

"I am disgusted and appalled at the actions of a small group of people who wish to see violence like this return to our streets.

"This bomb could have injured or killed but those behind it do not care about the consequences of their actions.

"Derry being awarded the City of Culture is an opportunity to attract more tourists as well as investment. The people behind this bomb attack obviously do not want Derry or its economy to use this opportunity to move forward," added Mr Lunn.

The City of Culture offices are located in Guildhall Square, which remains sealed off, yards away from the Guildhall itself and close to the city's walls.

"It's a place that would be visited throughout the day by almost every tourist group that would come to see the city," said Mark McFadden.

"This is an office which is a showcase for the city."

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]