Viable mortar device found in Londonderry security alert
About 1,000 people had to leave their
homes in Derry because of the alert and
several roads were closed. All police
cordons have now been lifted.
The police said the "intent was to kill or
injure".
Supt Stephen Cargin said: "This is
complete disregard for innocent lives by
those individuals who left the device."
He added: "Close to 1,000 people had to
leave their homes last night because of
the misguided actions of the people
responsible for this incident.
"It is only by good fortune that we are
not talking about loss of life or serious
damage to property.
"While the device will be forensically
examined in due course it is safe to say
that the intent here was to kill or injure
and create fear within the community."
'Very distressing'
At one stage road closures included
Strand Road, Queens Quay, Asylum Road
and Northland Road, between Clarendon
Street and Northland Avenue.
Police have said all residents can return
to their houses.
SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey said: "This had the
capacity to cause catastrophic damage
and suffering in our city.
"Those responsible for today's disruption
must know that they will not break the
spirit of this city and its people.
"We have endured too much to allow
anyone to attempt to bring the past back
to our streets.
"Those who have sought to hurt our city
and our people will never win."
A wake of a man was being held on
Lawrence Hill while the security alert
continued.
Eoghan Barr, the dead man's nephew,
said: "My family are quite upset. My
uncle passed just yesterday. We have
family arriving from England and this has
caused additional distress.
"My uncle's son couldn't get in to spend
time with his father last night. It was very
distressing.
"Most of the family decided not to leave
the house. It's a very emotional time
anyway and this has just added to it."
