The scene at Ballyarnett Village during the alert.
The bomb left outside a house in the Ballyarnett area of Derry aimed at killing police officers could have killed and maimed anyone, including children, it has been claimed.
The group calling themselves the “IRA” have claimed responsibility for placing the device which was discovered later yesterday afternoon in Ballyarnett Village..
The PNSI has revealed the bomb was intended to killed police officers.
Up to 30 families were moved from their homes during the alert.
Condemning those responsible, SDLP Cllr Brian Tierney said he was “appalled” at the deliberate attempt to “kill and maim people” while Sinn Fein Cllr Sandra Duffy said the incident had created a “palpable sense of anger” among residents.
Cllr Tierney said: ““I am appalled at this deliberate attempt to kill and maim people.
“The police have informed me that the bomb scare in Ballyarnett last night was caused by a sophisticated viable device designed to cause death and destruction.
“Those behind this callous attempt to kill have absolutely nothing to offer the people of this area.
“Rather than advance some misguided political agenda they have put local people in very serious danger.
“This device could have killed or seriously injured anyone in the immediate area.”
Cllr Duffy said whoever left thee device here placed the lives of local people, including children, at risk.
She added: “I was at the scene last night as families were being evacuated from their homes and there was a palpable sense of anger among the local community.
“This is a quiet residential area with many young families and it is absolutely disgraceful that they should be moved from their homes at night because of the reckless actions of a tiny minority.
“Actions like this have no support in the local community and are not representative of the people of Ballyarnett or the wider city.
“Whoever did this showed complete and utter disregard for the local community.”
Cllr Duffy concluded: “They need to stop these futile actions immediately and allow people to get on with their lives in peace.”
Tags: