Police link Northern Ireland car bomb to ‘New IRA’

Two men in their 20s allegedly hijacked a pizza delivery car to use in a bomb attack which exploded in Londonderry in Northern Ireland.

Armed New IRA terrorists hijacked a pizza delivery car to use in a car bomb which exploded in Londonderry on Saturday, police have revealed.

According to The Sun, the Police Service of Northern Ireland have made two arrests in connection with the attack which was described as “very significant attempt to kill people in the community.”

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton made the comments during an interview with Sky News.

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A picture released by the Police Service of Northern Ireland shows a burning car following a suspected car bomb in Londonderry. Picture: PSNI/AFP

He said the stolen vehicle, a Ford Fusion, was driven through the city centre with a “crude” and “very unstable” bomb planted inside — which could have gone off at any time.

Chief Constable Hamilton said the pizza delivery vehicle was hijacked by “at least two armed men”.

After a man placed the bomb inside the car, a call was made to the Samaritans which was then referred to the police.

Emergency services raced to the scene and began evacuating the area just in time.

The bomb detonated outside a courthouse on Bishop Street at around 8.15pm local time (7.15am AEDT) — just as police were leaving.

A cordon remained in place on Sunday at the site of the explosion.

Police inspect a car that was allegedly used in a bombing in Northern Ireland. Picture: AFP

The PSNI added: “As far as we know no one injured. There is another car we are not happy about. There are ongoing necessary evacuations.”

Witnesses say they heard a loud bang and a large plume of smoke.

Several bars and houses were evacuated, but there has been no reports of casualties so far.

DUP MLA Gary Middleton, and former deputy mayor of Londonderry, wrote on Twitter: “PSNI have confirmed there were no injuries in the serious incident at Bishops Street. Vehicle hijacked with explosion outside courthouse. Disgraceful act of terrorism.”

He added: “Deeply disturbing. A throwback to the past. I hope there are no injuries or fatalities.”

Police watch over the remains of the car that was reportedly hijacked and packed with explosives before being detonated outside Derry Courthouse. Picture: Getty Images

“This pointless act of terror must be condemned in the strongest terms. Grateful to our emergency services for their swift actions which helped ensure there have been no fatalities or injuries,” DUP leader Arlene Foster said on Twitter.

SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: “Whoever is responsible for this explosion within our city centre hasn’t got the message that the people of Derry don’t want this on our streets.

Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster. Picture: Yui Mok/PA via AP

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney. Picture: Paul Faith/AFP

‘NO ONE WANTS THIS’

“Whatever their agenda is they are causing distress, damage and potential death and that is not the way to further your cause.”

Fiachra McGuiness, a son of the late former deputy first minister Martin McGuinness, wrote on Twitter: “Whoever is responsible for this bomb in our Beautiful City tonight, live in Planet hate.”

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long MLA wrote on Twitter: “Very disturbing news from L-Derry this evening. Hope that no-one is hurt. Police now reporting a second suspicious vehicle in the area.”

Sinn Fein MP Elisha McCallion condemned the possible car bomb attack.

The Foyle MP said: “This incident has shocked the local community.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said two people have been arrested in connection with the attack. Picture: AFP

“In particular, there are many elderly residents who live in the area who have been alarmed by this incident.

“Thankfully no one appears to have been injured in this incident.

“Derry is a city moving forward and no one wants this type of incident. It is not representative of the city.

“I would encourage anyone with information about this incident to bring it to the police.”

The New IRA was behind the last such fatal attack when in 2016 a prison officer was seriously injured when a bomb exploded under his van in Belfast. He later died from his injuries.

Police at the scene. Picture: AFP

In Londonderry, police and fire officers came under petrol bomb and missile attack for a number of nights last July from Catholic youths in the Bogside area of the city around the time of annual parades that often raise tensions.

The bombing comes as police on both sides of the now-open border between Northern Ireland and European Union-member Ireland have expressed fears that a return to a hard border after Brexit, complete with customs and other checks, could be a target for militant groups.

Britain is due to leave the bloc in less than 10 weeks, with the future of the border at the centre of its difficulties to strike an amicable divorce deal.

The British and Irish governments, which are co-guarantors of the 1998 peace deal, expressed concern at the incident.

“There is no place and no justification possible for such acts of terror, which seek to drag Northern Ireland back to violence and conflict,” Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Twitter.

This story was originally published in The Sun and is reprinted with permission.