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Londonderry bombing condemned by Theresa May amid security alerts | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Army bomb disposal experts have carried out a controlled explosion on a hijacked van in Londonderry - less than 48 hours after a bomb in the city. | |
On Saturday night, a bomb exploded in a hijacked pizza delivery vehicle outside the courthouse in Bishop Street. | |
The attack was condemned by Theresa May in the Commons on Monday. | |
"This house stands together with the people of Northern Ireland in ensuring that we never go back to the violence and terror of the past," she said. | |
Meanwhile, police are dealing with two security alerts in the city. | |
A controlled explosion was carried out in Creggan's Circular Road after a vehicle was hijacked by three masked men at 11:30 GMT on Monday. | |
A second alert on Southway also in Creggan followed reports of a vehicle being hijacked by four masked men at 13:45 GMT. | |
PSNI Supt Gordon McCalmont said police are currently "in the process of implementing a public safety operation, establishing cordons and evacuating a number of homes" in Derry's Creggan area. | |
"Sadly, within two hours today, we are dealing with a second security alert in the city, which means even more disruption for the local community." | "Sadly, within two hours today, we are dealing with a second security alert in the city, which means even more disruption for the local community." |
Supt McCalmont added: "This second security alert and the measures we are taking to keep people safe will cause significant inconvenience for the local community, but we have no choice." | Supt McCalmont added: "This second security alert and the measures we are taking to keep people safe will cause significant inconvenience for the local community, but we have no choice." |
DUP leader Arlene Foster tweeted that the PSNI "needs our full support to remove those responsible from our streets". | DUP leader Arlene Foster tweeted that the PSNI "needs our full support to remove those responsible from our streets". |
Sinn Féin councillor Kevin Campbell said there can be "be no justification for this type of reckless activity". | Sinn Féin councillor Kevin Campbell said there can be "be no justification for this type of reckless activity". |
"Those responsible for this disruption have shown complete disregard for the people of Creggan, particularly elderly people who live in this area," he said. | "Those responsible for this disruption have shown complete disregard for the people of Creggan, particularly elderly people who live in this area," he said. |
A community centre in Central Drive has been made available to people who have been affected. | A community centre in Central Drive has been made available to people who have been affected. |
It follows continued disruption around the scene of Saturday's bomb outside Bishop Street Courthouse. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
Four other men, two in their 20s and two others, one aged 32 and one aged 42, remain in police custody. | Four other men, two in their 20s and two others, one aged 32 and one aged 42, remain in police custody. |
Courthouse closed | Courthouse closed |
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 Wednesday. | At the courthouse, scheduled jury trials have been put off until Wednesday. |
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. |
Driver 'threatened and intimidated' | Driver 'threatened and intimidated' |
PSNI Supt Gordon McCalmont told BBC Radio Foyle 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 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 was "lucky we are not talking about loss of life". | He said the PSNI 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". |
"He was threatened and intimidated. It would be fair to say he was asked not to raise the alarm." | "He was threatened and intimidated. 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. |
"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." |