Multiple security alerts condemned
A series of weekend security alerts which targetted rugby fans and police officers have been condemned.
Shots were fired at police officers in Newry on Saturday night while they were examining a suspicious device left on the railway line between Kileen and Meigh.
No one was injured during the incident which occurred at around 9.15pm but District Commander Chief Superintendent Alisdair Robinson said the attack was "a cowardly attempt to kill police officers".
Army technical officers have been at the scene of the ongoing investigation since Friday which marked the beginning of a weekend marred by security alerts across the province.
Rugby fans making the trip to Dublin for Ireland's ill-fated Six Nations match against Scotland on Saturday were forced to make alternative arrangements after the security alert on the Newry line forced train cancellations.
Seventeen extra bus substitutions were laid on after three sold-out special rugby supporter trains had to be cancelled on Friday when a suspicious device was found on the track between Kileen and Meigh.
Speaking about the attack on the police officers, PSNI District Commander Chief Superintendent Alisdair Robinson said those responsible have little support.
He said: "The people who carry out these senseless acts show a total disregard for their fellow man and are not part of the society within which the majority of people of Northern Ireland wish to live."
Chief Superintendent Robinson thanked the local community for their continued support of officers investigating the device.
"Officers will continue to look after the policing needs of all our people and will put in place whatever measures are necessary to take a robust stance against those who seem determined to disrupt and attack local communities," he said.
UUP MLA for the area Danny Kennedy said the attack was a deliberate trap and another indication that police are right to be cautious when investigating suspicious devices.
"I am greatly relieved that the attack did not result in any injury or death," he said.
"But there was a clear intention here to use the security alert as a trap and this confirms the necessity of police having to be cautious in responding to these alerts.
"The co-ordinated campaign of alerts over the weekend confirms the intent of these people to cause disruption."
SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh Dominic Bradley said the location of the device was deliberate in it's attempt to disrupt rugby fans travelling to Dublin for Ireland's last game in Croke Park.
He said: "Just how the disruption of one of the main pieces of north-south transport infrastructure or the attempt to thwart the travel plans of people on their way to support the national rugby team will advance the cause of a united Ireland is beyond most right thinking people.
"The Provos tried this tactic in the past and it didn't work nor will it work now.
Meanwhile a viable device found in County Londonderry on Saturday has been condemned by DUP MLA Ian McCrea. The security alert at Kirk Avenue in Magherafelt, which resulted in a controlled explosion, caused a number of homes and businesses to be evacuated on Saturday morning.
There were numerous security alerts throughout Belfast, Londonderry and Ballymena on Friday but all were found to be hoaxes.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
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