NEWRY BOMB: Politicians respond
POLITICIANS from across Northern Ireland have voiced their condemnation and concerns over last night's bombing in Newry.
Ulster Unionist MLA for Newry and Armagh, Danny Kennedy: "While I am extremely glad that no-one was killed or injured in this attack – as could so easily have been the case – this incident is proof, if further proof was needed, of a deteriorating security situation in Northern Ireland.
"I have, for some time, expressed my concern that there has been a complacent attitude adopted by senior police command and at the top of government, including the Secretary of State, as to the real threat posed by these dissident republicans.
"It is clear that as well as a political response a security response is also required, which should include additional resources in border areas and increased use of intelligence."
SDLP Leader Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA: "It sickens me that at a time when so many people are working together in partnership and looking forward to a better future in Newry, a tiny majority should seek to take us backwards with their violence.
"We have resolutely condemned the violence experienced in Newry for over 30 years and we have equal contempt for this recent wave of violent mayhem in Newry and also in Keady.
"I thank God that no-one was killed or injured in this outrage."
PUP leader Dawn Purvis: "Like all acts of violence I condemn utterly last night's attack in Newry. Dissidents need to go away, they should follow the path of other groups and decommission. They are not going to win, we have come too far and dissidents have nothing to offer the people of Northern Ireland. It is up to politicians to make politics deliver, it is this along with community cooperation with the police which will defeat them."
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson: "We utterly condemn this attack by dissident republicans in which thankfully nobody was hurt. Like all other such attacks this will not advance the aims of those who carried it out; rather it will reinforce our determination that violence will not succeed. All parts of the community should co-operate fully with the police, and all Northern Ireland's political parties need to work together to ensure that the political process keeps moving forward."
Traditional Unionist Voice party leader Jim Allister: "Tonight's bomb attack on Newry Courthouse, by whichever IRA flag of convenience organisation, apes the type of attack on the judicial process for which Old Bailey Bomber, Gerry Kelly, set the template.
"Having certainly learned the tactics from IRA/Sinn Fein did they also use explosives supposedly decommissioned and benefit from Provo expertise?
"Ever practised in using violence to promote their political agenda, we can now expect perverted calls by Sinn Fein, supported by the Secretary of State and others who should know better, to speed the devolution of policing and justice in response to such violence."
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Weather for Belfast
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
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