Saturday, September 29, 2012

Catholic Church spokesperson slams ‘reckless’ attack at Council offices

The Catholic Church in Derry has described those responsible for the planting of two viable devices along Derry’s riverside as ‘reckless’ and called for them to stop immediately.

Fr. Michael Canny, the spokesperson for the Derry Diocese, expressed dismay and said that the people behind the bomb showed no regard for anyone who might have happened upon the devices.

“There’s great shock and disappointment not only about where the bombs had been placed but of their [the bombers’] reckless indifference as to who might come across them.”

Fr. Canny went on to stress the sanctity and dignity of life and invited those engaged in this activity to desist and come into the democratic process.

The bombs were discovered when a female member of Foyle Search and Rescue looked into a holdall she saw at the back of the Council offices on Thursday night. 

The woman, who asked not to be named, said that she picked the bag up thinking it belonged to someone who had entered the River Foyle.

When the woman realised what was inside the bag, she put it down and contacted police immediately.

“There were two devices involved in this incident, both of them viable and capable of killing,” confirmed acting PSNI Foyle area commander John Burrows.

Chief Inspector Burrows went on to describe those responsible as being intent on killing police officers and said that female member of Foyle Search and Rescue could have been killed as a result.

“These people were intent on killing police officers but didn’t mind who else they kill in their attempts, and on this occasion it could have been a member of Foyle Search and Rescue.”