DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson expresses support for officers targeted in Strabane bomb attack during talks with PSNI chief constable

By Niall Deeney
Published 18th Nov 2022, 16:36 BST
Updated 18th Nov 2022, 16:37 BST
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 18th November 2022 Ongoing security alert in the Mount Carmel Heights area of Strabane this morning Investigations are at an early stage however the attack, which is believed to have been caused by an improvised explosive device, caused damage to a police vehicle and is being treated as the attempted murder of two officers. The sealed off entrance to Mt Carmel Heights in Strabane where n incident occurred on Thrusday night when two PSNI odficers narrowly escaped serious injury. (NW Newspix)Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 18th November 2022 Ongoing security alert in the Mount Carmel Heights area of Strabane this morning Investigations are at an early stage however the attack, which is believed to have been caused by an improvised explosive device, caused damage to a police vehicle and is being treated as the attempted murder of two officers. The sealed off entrance to Mt Carmel Heights in Strabane where n incident occurred on Thrusday night when two PSNI odficers narrowly escaped serious injury. (NW Newspix)
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland Friday 18th November 2022 Ongoing security alert in the Mount Carmel Heights area of Strabane this morning Investigations are at an early stage however the attack, which is believed to have been caused by an improvised explosive device, caused damage to a police vehicle and is being treated as the attempted murder of two officers. The sealed off entrance to Mt Carmel Heights in Strabane where n incident occurred on Thrusday night when two PSNI odficers narrowly escaped serious injury. (NW Newspix)
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson expressed his support for the two PSNI officers targeted in the Strabane bomb attack on Thursday during a meeting with the chief constable on Friday.

Following his discussion with PSNI chief Simon Byrne, Sir Jeffrey said: "This callous and seemingly pre-meditated attack must be roundly condemned. My thoughts first and foremost are with the officers affected, their loved ones and PSNI colleagues as they come to terms with has happened.

"Attempts on the life of police officers were wrong in the past and remain wrong today. There is always an alternative to violence. Northern Ireland will not be held to ransom by fringe elements intent only on bloodshed and dragging our society backwards."

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He continued: "It is clear from the scenes this morning that those responsible for such cowardly acts offer nothing but hurt and disruption for the communities they purport to represent. Political leadership is needed to send a strong message that this behaviour has no place in our society."

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey DonaldsonDUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson

The Ulster Unionist Party’s Policing Board representative Mike Nesbitt MLA praised the bravery of police officers, describing the attack as "an attack on the entire community."

He continued: “In addition to the widespread disruption caused to the local community in that area of Strabane, two police officers will have been traumatised and my thoughts and best wishes are with those officers, their families and their colleagues at this time.

“Every single community in Northern Ireland is entitled to a police service. Nobody has the right to attack anyone, least of all police officers whose role is to keep us all safe and to solve crime. The bravery of our police officers is in total contrast to the cowardice of those who skulk in the shadows and plot to attack them.

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“Whether you want a new Ireland, a united Ireland or a partitioned Ireland, you have no right, no authority and no mandate to murder police officers or anyone else."

Mr Nesbitt added: “Whoever was responsible for this attack is trying to drag this country back to a past we have long since left behind. They have nothing positive or of any use to offer and they need to be caught, brought before the courts and punished to the full extent of the law.”