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Northern Ireland police find mortar bomb targeted at Derry police station Northern Ireland police find mortar bomb targeted at Derry police station
(34 minutes later)
A mortar bomb device that republican dissidents hoped to fire into the main police station of Northern Ireland's second-largest city has been found during a security operation that forced 1,000 people out of their homes.A mortar bomb device that republican dissidents hoped to fire into the main police station of Northern Ireland's second-largest city has been found during a security operation that forced 1,000 people out of their homes.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the weapon, which was designed to "injure or kill", had been placed in a residential area on the west bank of the river Foyle in Derry and was targeted at Strand Road police station.The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the weapon, which was designed to "injure or kill", had been placed in a residential area on the west bank of the river Foyle in Derry and was targeted at Strand Road police station.
The discovery of the device marks another success for the security forces in their intelligence war with the New IRA in Derry and the north-west. Several attempts to smugglerockets and explosive devices into firing points in the city have been thwarted this year. The discovery of the device marks another success for the security forces in their intelligence war with the New IRA in Derry and the north-west. Several attempts to smuggle rockets and explosive devices into firing points in the city have been thwarted this year.
PSNI Superintendent Stephen Cargin said the latest find showed "complete disregard for innocent lives by those individuals who left the device".PSNI Superintendent Stephen Cargin said the latest find showed "complete disregard for innocent lives by those individuals who left the device".
"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."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.
It is safe to say that the intent here was to kill or injure and create fear within the community," he said.It is safe to say that the intent here was to kill or injure and create fear within the community," he said.
The discovery of the mortar bomb came as a small vigil was held to protest against a paramilitary murder close by on Thursday.The discovery of the mortar bomb came as a small vigil was held to protest against a paramilitary murder close by on Thursday.
The PSNI has taken the highly unusual step of naming a man they want to speak to about the killing.The PSNI has taken the highly unusual step of naming a man they want to speak to about the killing.
The PSNI released the name of Kieran McLaughlin asking the public for help in tracking down the 58-year-old Derry man, but warned that he should not be approached. The PSNI released the name of Kieran McLaughlin, asking the public for help in tracking down the 58-year-old Derry man, but warned that he should not be approached.
Barry McCrory, who was 35, was shot dead at a flat in Shipquay Street in the centre of Derry.Barry McCrory, who was 35, was shot dead at a flat in Shipquay Street in the centre of Derry.
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