The Five Demands

Circa 350 persone hanno dovuto abbandonare la propria abitazione per un’allerta bomba a Aughnacloy

Al momento, esperti artificieri stanno analizzando cautamente il contenuto di un furgone bianco posteggiato davanti alla stazione della PSNI a Aughnacloy.Un consigliere comunale ha detto di aver avuto notizia che il furgone sia carico di quantità di esclusivo variabile dai300 a 500 kg. Nessuna conferma è giunta dalla polizia.
Circa 350 persone sono state costrette dalla polizia a lasciare il domicilio per il pericolo della deflagrazione.
L’allarme ha avuto origine alle 22.10 circa di ieri sera, quando un furgone bianco è stato abbandonato in Dungannon Road a Aughnacloy (Co. Tyrone).Gli abitanti hanno testimoniato che il furgone è stato lasciato fuori dalla stazione PSNI, con il portellone aperto e il motore acceso.Stando alle indiscrezioni è stata ritrovata un’auto completamente bruciata appena oltre il confine, in Repubblica di Irlanda.
La strada principale di Aughnacloy è ora parzialmente aperta, ad esclusione del tratto che porta in  Dungannon road; la A5 è accessibile.L’allerta è stata lanciata probabilmente dai dissidenti repubblicani stessi, con una telefonata alla sede di un giornale di Belfast. La persona che ha fatto la telefonata si è identificata attraverso un codice riconosciuto.
Sammy Brush (DUP) ha confermato che l’allerta è stata data con un’ora di preavviso, un lasso di tempo tale da complicare le operazioni di evacuazione che è stata comunque “abbastanza ben organizzata”, riuscendo ad evitare scene di panico.
L’allerta è stata lanciata dai dissidenti repubblicani tramite l’utilizzo di una parola in codice ad un quotidiano locale.

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350 people flee homes in Aughnacloy van bomb alert (BBC News Northern Ireland)
Hundreds of people are still out of their homes following a bomb alert at a police station in County Tyrone.
A large area around Aughnacloy PSNI station remains closed as army experts examine a white van which was abandoned at Dungannon Road on Thursday at 2210 BST.
About 350 people left their homes and spent the night in three halls.
A local councillor said he understood the van contained a bomb made up of 300 – 500 pounds of explosives.
Police have not confirmed this.
Residents said the van was left outside the PSNI station, the door was lying open and the engine was running.
Dissident republicans have been responsible for a number of car bomb attacks on police stations in Northern Ireland this year.
It is understood a burnt out car was found just over the border from Aughnacloy, in the Republic of Ireland.
Some roads around the village remain cordoned off in the security operation and Aughnacloy Primary School will be closed all day.
The main street in Aughnacloy is now partially open and the A5 is accessible, however the main Aughnacloy to Dungannon road is closed.
The alert was raised in a telephone warning to a Belfast newspaper office. It is believed the call was from dissident republicans and the caller used a recognised code word.
DUP councillor Sammy Brush said it appeared to be a large bomb.
“I have been told reliably by a police officer that it was a viable device, it contained commercial explosives and would appear to be somewhere in the region of 300 pounds and 500 hundred pounds of commercial explosives.
“I understand it was a viable device. Had it gone off, it would have caused serious destruction and death,” he said.
“There is nothing getting in, or out, of the vicinity of the police station.”
Mr Brush said only an hour’s warning was given and it was difficult, in that time frame, to get elderly people and young children out of bed and out of their homes.
he said the evacuation seemed “fairly well organised” and that there was “no panic”.
DUP councillor Sammy Brush in Aughnacloy DUP councillor Sammy Brush in Aughnacloy
“There’s a little bit of anger and disbelief but I suppose the longer this goes on, the feelings will probably get stronger.”
Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew said those responsible for the device should “seriously reflect on what they are doing”.
“The first thing to say is that people in Aughnacloy will be relieved this morning that no damage has been done and nobody has been injured in last night’s attempted attack on the PSNI station,” she said.
“However, people are angry at the disruption that has been caused particularly to elderly people and young children who were forced from their homes overnight.
“Their actions are no part of a campaign to bring about Irish unity and they have little or no popular support.”
Ulster Unionist MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Tom Elliott said it was “deeply distressing” such incidents were “becoming a familiar feature of life in Northern Ireland once again”.
“Unfortunately, the events of recent months have shown that there is no such thing as being too careful – these thugs have no respect for life,” he added.
“Their determination to injure and maim is indiscriminate.”
SDLP MLA Tommy Gallagher said: “Those who planted this device show a selfish contempt for the people of Aughnacloy who deserve to live their lives without fear of violence.
“The SDLP has always condemned the use of violence. It was wrong in the past and it is still wrong now. Anyone with information should contact the police immediately.”