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Real IRA claims Derry attacks (U TV)
The Real IRA has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks in Londonderry.
Two explosive devices targeting the homes belonging to the family of a serving police officer were found on Friday.
A first device exploded outside the policeman’s parents’ home in the Shantallow area of the city early on Friday morning.
A car was damaged but there were no injuries, police said.
A second device is being examined outside the policeman’s sister’s home in Kylemore Park.
Several people were forced to leave their homes after the device was discovered at around 7.30am.
In a separate incident, a man was shot in the legs and hand in the Ballymagroarty area of Derry shortly after 1.30am.
The victim was hit a number of times in both legs and the left hand and is in a stable condition in hospital after treatment.
Police said a number of men forced their way into a house and shot the man.
The Real IRA has also claimed responsibility for the shooting, which is the latest in a series of attacks believed to have been carried out by dissident republicans trying to gain control over nationalist areas.
‘Cowardly’
Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney has condemned the three attacks.
“This family is a part of our community and I would call on the community to show solidarity with them at this time,” he said.
“While most people are working to build a peaceful and democratic future, it would seem that a minuscule and unrepresentative group think that by carrying out cowardly actions based on spurious excuses, they will frustrate continued progress.
“They will not succeed and should stop their activity before it leads to the killing of more innocent people.”
SDLP leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan also condemned what he called “cowardly and sinister attempts” to unnerve a young officer and his family and intimidate the entire community.
“These actions have to be condemned and stand in stark contrast to the noble service of the young PSNI officers and recruits who have chosen to serve the public.”
He said the community and the country will remain resolute despite increased disruption and threats from dissident elements over recent weeks.
“Their efforts will not undo the progress that has been made,” he added.
“Those responsible must realise that they will not succeed. The policing service which we now have has been mandated by the Irish people, north and south, in the Good Friday Agreement.
“Those who serve in its ranks are carrying out a patriotic duty which has the endorsement of the overwhelming number of citizens in Derry and the country.”
Security Minister Paul Goggins described those responsible as beyond contempt.
“No-one should be under any illusion of the motives behind those who, under the cover of darkness, leave devices outside family homes”, he said.
“They are a threat to the local community, they want to inflict pain and suffering on the people living in that community and do not care who they kill or injure. These latest attacks are beyond contempt.”
The Chairman of the Policing Board, Barry Gilligan also condemned the attacks.
“It is a miracle that no-one was seriously injured or hurt in this incident”, he said.
“The criminals who planted this device and carried out this deplorable act have nothing to offer anyone. They have no support from our communities or any of the political parties.”