Dissidents are 'aiming to murder'
DISSIDENT republicans are intent on killing or seriously injuring a member of the PSNI in south Armagh, it has been claimed.
In the latest attack, terrorists planted a device and a number of containers filled with flammable liquid in the rear of a car, which was left abandoned outside Crossmaglen police station on Saturday night.
Army Technical Officers made safe the device yesterday afternoon, as police launched an appeal for information on the red Peugeot 406.
Chief Inspector Sam Cordner, who praised the response from the local community, said the device had the potential to cause devastation.
"Had this device exploded I have no doubt that anyone in the immediate area could have been killed or seriously injured," said the Area Commander.
"Whoever is responsible showed complete disregard for the lives of police officers and members of the local community.
"I would like to place on record my thanks to local people and their representatives for their patience and support during the operation to make this device safe."
The Chief Inspector called on local people to work with police to "show these misguided individuals that incidents such as this have no place in today's society".
Ulster Unionist Assembly member, Danny Kennedy, said the entire area of south Armagh was now living in fear.
"This was an attack which clearly has been carefully planned – those behind this knew what they were doing," said Mr Kennedy.
"Unfortunately, this latest attempted bombing will only add to the fears of local people over the increasing threat from dissident republicans in south Armagh, where we have had countless attacks and alerts in recent months.
"It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed," he added.
DUP Assembly member William Irwin condemned those responsible, saying a "disaster" had been averted.
"I am grateful that this device did not explode as it would have been a disaster. Our thanks must go to the police and Army Technical Officers for making the area safe and defusing the device," said Mr Irwin.
Dominic Bradley from the SDLP said the device will only serve to "strengthen the resolve of local people to oppose the actions of those responsible".
“No purpose is served by violence or the threat of violence – it was wrong in the past when the Provos did it and it is still wrong today,” said Mr Bradley.
Victims’ campaigner, Willie Frazer, who visited the scene yesterday, said it was time for “political policing to stop” and called on the Chief Constable to use more resources against terrorism.
“Matt Baggott needs to put more men on the ground to deal with the dissidents before another life is lost,” said Mr Frazer.
Police are calling on those with information on the red Peugeot 406 to contact detectives at Newry on 0845 600 8000.
Dissidents have launched a series of attacks in south Armagh, including several gun attacks on Crossmaglen police station, since the new year.
On February 22 a republican car bomb exploded outside Newry Courthouse, causing traffic chaos across the city.
In September last year, dissidents left a 600lb bomb near the Irish border in south Armagh, intended to kill PSNI officers.
A month earlier, a group of armed and masked men, believed to be from a faction of the Real IRA, set up a roadblock in the south Armagh village of Meigh.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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