Bomb attack and shootings ‘disgraceful,’ ‘reckless’ and damaging to city’s reputation

Londonderry MLA Maurice Devenney spoke out in the wake of the bomb attack on Circular Road on Sunday, and separate paramilitary-style shootings in the north of the city.

At approximately 11.40pm on Saturday (November 1) police received a report that a 42 year old man had been shot in the left leg by a man described as being approximately 6ft tall and was wearing a balaclava and dark clothing.

The incident occurred at Corrib Court in Ballymagroarty.

And on Sunday a 26-year-old man was shot in both legs in Liscloon Drive in the Shantallow area at 8.30pm.

Mr Devenney said: “I totally condemn those who carried out the two shooting attacks and the bomb attack in Londonderry over the weekend.

“These attacks could have resulted in the loss of life or serious injury.

“The reckless actions of the minority here in Londonderry will not succeed and we as a society must stand together to ensure that does not happen.”

The Londonderry MLA said that as well as endangering lives the attacks would result in reputational damage for the city.

“At a time when our constituency has the highest unemployment rate in the UK, these attacks will further damage any chances of future investment.

“I would ask those responsible to end their campaign now and realise that this type of behaviour will further no cause. I commend the PSNI for their quick response to these attacks on the community and I appeal for anyone with any information to pass it to the PSNI.

“This is yet another disgraceful attack on police officers serving their community.

“I call on anyone with information to pass it to the PSNI.”

Meanwhile, the Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said: “This is yet another disgraceful attack on police officers serving their community.

“I call on anyone with information to pass it on to the PSNI.”

Sinn Féin vice-Chair of the Assembly’s Justice Committee Raymond McCartney said: “It is a very worrying development that there has been three incidents in less than twenty four hours in the city.

“The people of Derry have made it clear over the years that they do not want this type of activity in their communities and they need to stop.

“The gangs behind these attacks have no regard for anyone and if they continue with this reckless agenda it is only a matter of time before a member of the public is killed or injured.

He went on to say: “The shooting incident in Shantallow is the second on the streets of our city in less than twenty four hours.

“Derry is a place looking to the future and will not be held back by criminal gangs masquerading as republicans.”

SDLP MP Mark Durkan said: “Those responsible for throwing this device at a police patrol have shown complete and utter contempt for the people of Creggan.

“They are out to destroy, and don’t care if they injure or kill anyone in the process.

“This callous and dangerous attack and the two punishment-style shootings in the city over the weekend fly in the face of the efforts made by so many people to improve life here.

“We should contrast those who were planning these attacks with the civic carnival spirit and what thousands of people from this city and beyond were doing for Halloween.

“We were all putting out a positive story, a positive message about our community and the talents and ambitions that we want to celebrate in this city. But no, there is a small minority of people who say they want Derry to be a theatre for destruction and death.

“They will not succeed. They have no regard for anyone except their own warped and violent egos.”