New IRA tried to murder officer after 'viable' bomb found next to car, police say
Republican dissidents have been accused of trying to murder a police officer after a "viable" bomb was found next to her car.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the New IRA was likely to be behind the attempt to kill a part-time police officer outside her home in a rural area close to Dungiven in Co Londonderry.
A security operation has been ongoing since the device was discovered on Monday on the Ballyquin Road.
PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said on social media: "I strongly condemn this outrageous attack on our officer and her family. PSNI officers and staff bravely step up to serve the community and this attempt to harm is a stark reminder of the challenges still facing us all."
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan said the device was placed beside the officer’s car and designed to create a fireball. He added the terrorist group would have been aware of the child seat in the car when they placed the bomb.
"This is a group who are intent on targeting police officers. They have a total disregard for other members of the community and who they hurt or harm in the course of achieving that objective," he said, adding that these types of terrorist groups seek to drag Northern Ireland back to the "dark days".
"We will be unrelenting in our efforts in bringing these people to justice," he said. "We believe this group would have known this is where the [three year-old] daughter would sit and they have shown no regard for this whatsoever.
"We are treating this as an attack on a member of staff who also serves her community as a part-time police officer."
First Minister Arlene Foster, a DUP politician, blamed dissident republicans for the bomb attack. "I stand, as does my entire party, with the brave woman targeted by republicans and utterly condemn those who have sought to harm her and her family," she said.
"I do give thanks that she has survived this dreadful murder attempt and when I spoke to this lady earlier, I gave her my prayerful support and indeed solidarity at this difficult time.
"To the republicans who sought to murder this young mother, your campaign is futile, you will never succeed and whilst there may always be different political views in Northern Ireland, we will keep moving forward and we will not be dragged back by bombers or those who would seek to use the gun to get their own political way."
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, of Sinn Fein, said: "The attempted murder of a police officer near Dungiven is reprehensible. Those involved in this attack will not succeed in their regressive and toxic agenda. All politicians must unite against these reckless actions. We must keep building the peace for our children."
The New IRA was blamed for the car bomb attack outside Londonderry court house in 2019 and the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in the Creggan are of the city in the same year.
Secretary of State Brandon Lewis said: "The attempted murder of this police officer is absolutely abhorrent. I completely condemn the actions of those involved. Those who try to attack public servants have nothing to offer the communities they claim to represent. I want to convey my support for the officer concerned."
Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken also tweeted his condemnation. "This cowardly attempt on the life of someone who is courageously putting her selflessness to the good of all of our community must be utterly condemned by all - there must be no place for terrorism in our society," he said.
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter condemned the attack. "No one should have to live in fear of going to work," she said. "Our officers protect our communities every day and keep them safe. My thoughts are with the officer and their families."
