'Sinister' Lurgan bomb hijacking by 'despicable thugs' condemned, as police terror squad probes suspect device
Politicians of all stripes have condemned the “despicable thugs” behind last night’s “sinister” Lurgan bomb hijacking.
Monday night’s incident saw a delivery driver threatened at gunpoint, and instructed to take a vehicle loaded with a suspect device to a police station in the Co Armagh town.
A number of roads have been closed in the centre of Lurgan while several homes have been evacuated over the alert, which is being probed by the PSNI’s terrorism squad.
The incident saw a fast food delivery driver stopped in the Kilwilkie area, known to be a republican stronghold. The hijackers placed an object inside the vehicle before threatening the driver, forcing him was then forced and threatened to drive the vehicle to Lurgan police station
Representatives from across the political divide have slammed the attack, which is reminiscent of “proxy bomb” horrors carried out by the IRA during the Troubles.
Stated area MP Carla Lockhart: “This is not something anyone wants to see in our society today.
“The situation is deeply concerning, and I would strongly urge anyone who may have any information to come forward and report it to the PSNI immediately.
“I want to utterly and unequivocally condemn what has happened. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted, and we hope for a safe and swift resolution. Please stay safe and look out for one another.”
In statements on social media, the MP announced that army bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion overnight. Around 100 homes were evacuated, she added, and parts of the town cordoned off for safety reasons are hoped to reopen this afternoon.
Alliance’s Eoin Tennyson branded the perpetrators “thugs [who] carried out this sinister attack”, describing their actions as “utterly despicable and must be condemned without equivocation”.
Reinforcing the attack “is not wanted or supported by anyone here in the local area”, he stated: “The kind of panic, trauma and disruption caused by this attack is a stark reminder of the dark days of our past – days we will not allow ourselves to be dragged back to by those who only stand to cause our communities harm.”
Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said the incident “shows how callous republican terrorists are”, adding proxy bombs “put many people in danger, not just the target”.
“It is clear these career terrorists do not have the support of any section of our sand, and I would urge anyone with information to pass it on to the police,” he added.
Sinn Fein MLA John O’Dowd pointed to recent St Patrick’s Day celebrations, maintaining "those scenes of joy and hope are what Lurgan and its people are about”.
“Those behind these actions represent no one but themselves, and stand isolated from the community,” he said. “Progress will not be stymied by these people, Lurgan will continue to move forward.”
SDLP south Belfast MP Claire Hanna condemned the incident as “utterly reckless”, adding it was a “terrifying ordeal” for the driver. “The community should not have to put up with this,” she said.
Policing Board chair Mukesh Sharma said the perpetrators “couldn’t give a damn about” the impact their deeds have on the community, adding: “Those behind this incident were intent on causing harm. They are living in a past that nobody wants.”