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Londonderry alert: Bomb was 'an attempt to murder police officer' Londonderry alert: Three men arrested after Eglinton bomb
(34 minutes later)
Police have said that a bomb left under a serving police officer's car near Londonderry was a "clear attempt to kill". Three men have been arrested by Irish police, in a follow-up operation after a bomb was left under a PSNI officer's car at Eglinton near Londonderry.
The device was discovered at Glenrandel in Eglinton early on Thursday, leading to a major security alert. The device was discovered at Glenrandel early on Thursday, leading to a major security alert.
His wife is also a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The PSNI said the attack was a "clear attempt to murder police officers".
District Commander Mark McEwan said: "The target of focus of the investigation is violent dissident republicans." His wife is also a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. District Commander Mark McEwan said: "This could have been a tragedy."
He added: "This could have been a tragedy. He added: "The target of focus of the investigation is dissident republicans."
"This officer serves the community day and daily. He keeps people safe. Someone has crept in and planted a bomb underneath his car."This officer serves the community day and daily. He keeps people safe. Someone has crept in and planted a bomb underneath his car.
"I have spoken with the officers and they are calm and dealing with it in a professional way.""I have spoken with the officers and they are calm and dealing with it in a professional way."
Fifteen houses at Glenrandel in Eglinton have been evacuated and army technical officers are at the scene.Fifteen houses at Glenrandel in Eglinton have been evacuated and army technical officers are at the scene.
'Shock''Shock'
The road is closed. The Foyle arena on the Limavady Road is open for residents seeking shelter.The road is closed. The Foyle arena on the Limavady Road is open for residents seeking shelter.
The alert began at about 0245 BST. Jenny Bell lives in Glenrandel and her elderly grandparents had to leave their home. The alert began at about 0245 BST. Jennie Bell lives in Glenrandel and her elderly grandparents had to leave their home.
She said it was a "big shock wakening up to this news".She said it was a "big shock wakening up to this news".
"My granny is recovering from cancer and my granddad has Parkinson's disease," she said."My granny is recovering from cancer and my granddad has Parkinson's disease," she said.
"There are a number of elderly residents in the area. It is all going on outside our front door."There are a number of elderly residents in the area. It is all going on outside our front door.
"We have been advised to stay inside. We have never had anything like this in Eglinton before.""We have been advised to stay inside. We have never had anything like this in Eglinton before."
The leaders of the four main churches in Derry have described the attack as "despicable, evil and reckless".The leaders of the four main churches in Derry have described the attack as "despicable, evil and reckless".
In a joint statement, Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop Ken Good, Dr Robert Buick and the Rev Peter Murray said they were appalled and there could be no justification for attempted murder.In a joint statement, Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop Ken Good, Dr Robert Buick and the Rev Peter Murray said they were appalled and there could be no justification for attempted murder.
Foyle MP Mark Durkan condemned those behind the attack.Foyle MP Mark Durkan condemned those behind the attack.
"These people are capable of using a viable device, but they don't actually have a viable political strategy, no coherent message and it is not what the community want," he said."These people are capable of using a viable device, but they don't actually have a viable political strategy, no coherent message and it is not what the community want," he said.
"Let's be very clear about the support and sympathy and solidarity that we are offering to the police officer concerned.""Let's be very clear about the support and sympathy and solidarity that we are offering to the police officer concerned."
'Futile''Futile'
DUP MLA Gary Middleton has blamed dissident republicans for the bomb.DUP MLA Gary Middleton has blamed dissident republicans for the bomb.
"I condemn those who carried out this terrorism act and hope that they will be brought to justice," he said."I condemn those who carried out this terrorism act and hope that they will be brought to justice," he said.
"This is a tight-knit, settled community and people here are left completely shocked and disgusted by this act.""This is a tight-knit, settled community and people here are left completely shocked and disgusted by this act."
Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Fleming described the attack as "wrong and futile".Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Fleming described the attack as "wrong and futile".
"We are looking to the future and we will not be held back by those who want to drag us back to the past," he said."We are looking to the future and we will not be held back by those who want to drag us back to the past," he said.
"It's time these people caught up with the mood and wishes of the Irish people and abandon their activities.""It's time these people caught up with the mood and wishes of the Irish people and abandon their activities."