PFNI condemns ‘faceless cowards’ behind attempt on officer’s life

An explosive device attached to a container of flammable liquid was left near the officer’s car outside her home in Dungiven on Monday (April 19).

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said this was designed to “cause a fireball which would have engulfed the victim’s car”.

The PSNI has blamed the New IRA for planting the bomb, which was placed directly beside where the victim’s three-year-old daughter sits in the car.

The device was made safe following a lengthy security operation by the Army.

The part-time officer is a member of PSNI police staff and PFNI chair Mark Lindsay condemned the “faceless cowards” behind the attempt on her life.

“This officer is going the extra mile working for the community and it is appalling the officer was singled out in this manner,” he said.

“Her dedication to serving the community is in stark contrast to those involved in this attack, whose only purpose is to wreck lives. They are without heart or soul and only have the instruments of misery and suffering to further their warped and outdated aims.”

Mr Lindsay added: “There are people in this community who know who planned this attack and placed this potentially lethal device under an officer’s car. They must realise there is nothing to be gained by such attacks and I would call on them to give the police the information they need to capture the culprits.

“The people behind this attack have no political or social support outside their own small circles. Their thinking is from a bygone era – an era everyone else has moved on from. It is very much the clear desire of decent people to get on with their lives without the spectre of terrorism hanging over their shoulders.”

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan, head of Crime Operations Branch, said it was “a sickening attack on a young mother who serves her community both as a member of police staff and as a part-time police officer”.

He said a strong line of inquiry is that this is the reason she was targeted by violent terrorists.

Mr McEwan said the officer “discovered the suspicious object beside her car in close proximity to her house in Ballyquin Road, Dungiven”.

“This was designed to cause a fireball which would have engulfed the victim’s car and anyone in it or anyone close by, or those calling to the house,” he said.

“What is really distressing is the terrorists placed the bomb at the rear of the car directly at the point where the victim’s three-year-old daughter sits. This demonstrates the complete and utter disregard for the life of a mother and her toddler, which simply beggars belief.

“While the investigation is at an early stage and detectives are keeping an open mind, a strong line of inquiry is that this attack is the work of the New IRA.”

Mr McEwan added: “Here is yet another occasion where they have shown nothing but contempt for local people. If we think back to the bomb attack outside the Derry Court House in 2019 when a group of young people narrowly escaped being caught up in the blast.

“Also, it is worth reflecting that the attack took place while the rest of the country were pausing to remember,  nearly two years ago to the day, that this group of wicked individuals murdered a young woman – Lyra McKee – in Creggan.

“It is clear they are still intent on recklessly targeting honest, hard-working members of our community with no concern at all for who they harm or kill in the process.”

Northern Ireland Policing Board chair Doug Garrett said: “This vile act of terror was designed to kill this member of the Police Service and our thoughts are very much with her and her family as they come to terms with the shock of being targeted in this way.

“Those responsible are condemned as is their warped desire to take the life of someone for simply doing a job. We are thankful that vigilance meant their plan did not succeed and call on the wider community to stand with the police and reject those responsible for terror and violence against our policing service.”

First Minister Arlene Foster expressed her “utter condemnation” of those who sought to harm the officer and her family.

“Reckless and futile,” she tweeted. “We salute her bravery and long service to our community.”

Also on Twitter, deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “The attempted murder of a police officer near Dungiven is reprehensible. Those involved in this attack will not succeed in their regressive and toxic agenda.

“All politicians must unite against these reckless actions. We must keep building the peace for our children.”

Mr McEwan said they were appealing to anyone who has any knowledge of the attack, or anyone involved in dissident republican or other violent or terrorist activity, to come forward and provide any information they have to the police.

He said they particularly wanted to hear from anyone who was in the area of Ballyquin Road, Dungiven during the evening of Sunday (April 18) into the morning of Monday.