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Londonderry security alert after weekend bomb attack | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
There is an ongoing security alert in Londonderry less than 48 hours after an explosion in the city centre on Saturday night. | |
The operation on Circular Road in the Creggan area follows the report of a vehicle being hijacked just before 11:30 GMT on Monday. | |
PSNI Supt Gordon McCalmont said "a white Transit van was reportedly hijacked by three masked men who threw an object in the back of it before abandoning it". | |
A police cordon has been put in place. | |
It follows continued disruption around the scene of Saturday's bomb outside Bishop Street Courthouse. | |
The PSNI said the attack may have been carried out by the New IRA, a dissident republican group. | |
On Monday, police arrested a fifth man in connection with the bombing. | |
The 50-year-old man has also been arrested in connection with an armed robbery in the Meadowbank Avenue area of the city last Tuesday. | |
Courthouse closed | |
Four other men, two in their 20s and two others, one aged 32 and one aged 42, remain in police custody. | |
Police said a pizza delivery man had a gun held to his head as his vehicle was hijacked and then used in the bombing. | Police said a pizza delivery man had a gun held to his head as his vehicle was hijacked and then used in the bombing. |
One CCTV clip posted on Twitter by police showed a group of young people walking past the vehicle shortly before the blast. | One CCTV clip posted on Twitter by police showed a group of young people walking past the vehicle shortly before the blast. |
At the courthouse, scheduled jury trials have been put off until Tuesday. | At the courthouse, scheduled jury trials have been put off until Tuesday. |
Cases listed to be heard in the magistrate's courts are being held in Strabane, with some other hearings switching to Coleraine. | Cases listed to be heard in the magistrate's courts are being held in Strabane, with some other hearings switching to Coleraine. |
A police cordon has now been reduced but Bishop Street car park still remains closed. | A police cordon has now been reduced but Bishop Street car park still remains closed. |
In a Facebook post on Sunday, the PSNI said: "We are aware that a number of people are seeking the return of their vehicles - unfortunately this cannot be facilitated due to the continuing police operation. | In a Facebook post on Sunday, the PSNI said: "We are aware that a number of people are seeking the return of their vehicles - unfortunately this cannot be facilitated due to the continuing police operation. |
"We would like to thank the community for their patience and support." | "We would like to thank the community for their patience and support." |
Driver 'threatened and intimidated' | Driver 'threatened and intimidated' |
PSNI Supt Gordon McCalmont told BBC Radio Foyle that the police were trying to get the city back to normal and show the attack had "little or no long-term impact". | PSNI Supt Gordon McCalmont told BBC Radio Foyle that the police were trying to get the city back to normal and show the attack had "little or no long-term impact". |
He said the PSNI it was "lucky we are not talking about loss of life". | He said the PSNI it was "lucky we are not talking about loss of life". |
Supt McCalmont also said the pizza delivery driver "had to go through the drama of having a firearm put to his head". | Supt McCalmont also said the pizza delivery driver "had to go through the drama of having a firearm put to his head". |
"My thoughts are with that man today, He was threatened and intimidated. | "My thoughts are with that man today, He was threatened and intimidated. |
"It would be fair to say he was asked not to raise the alarm." | "It would be fair to say he was asked not to raise the alarm." |
What is the New IRA? | What is the New IRA? |
He added: "These groupings obviously want us to respond. We will be very balanced. This threat has always been in this city. | He added: "These groupings obviously want us to respond. We will be very balanced. This threat has always been in this city. |
"My sense is that this is not because of Brexit." | "My sense is that this is not because of Brexit." |
Londonderry's city centre manager Jim Roddy told BBC Radio Foyle he was out walking when he got a call to say a car had been abandoned on Bishop Street. | Londonderry's city centre manager Jim Roddy told BBC Radio Foyle he was out walking when he got a call to say a car had been abandoned on Bishop Street. |
"We could be looking at many deaths today," Mr Roddy said. | "We could be looking at many deaths today," Mr Roddy said. |
"There's been a lot of disruption but thankfully no one has been injured. | "There's been a lot of disruption but thankfully no one has been injured. |
"Witnessing Saturday night was quite difficult as somebody who loves and tries to promote this city. | "Witnessing Saturday night was quite difficult as somebody who loves and tries to promote this city. |
"Dozens of cars are still in the nearby car park. We'll be making representation to Transport NI to make sure no one gets tickets." | "Dozens of cars are still in the nearby car park. We'll be making representation to Transport NI to make sure no one gets tickets." |