A BOMB which exploded in a roadside bin in Derry had "all the hallmarks of a dissident republican attack", police said last night.
The area around the Skeoge Road was sealed off yesterday during a major security operation following reports of a loud bang in the area on Tuesday night.
Police confirmed last night that the explosion was a bomb describing it as an "indiscriminate attack" with the potential to kill.
District Commander Superintendent Mark McEwan, who appealed to the public for help in tracking down those responsible, said it was "fortunate no one had been killed or seriously injured".
"Those who left this device showed no regard for the safety of anyone in the area. The device was left in a waste bin and shrapnel from it could have killed or seriously injured anyone close by," he said.
"This has all the hallmarks of a dissident republican attack. Police will continue to patrol all areas of the city and I am asking everyone to work with us to reduce the threat that these people pose and to keep people safe."
The Skeoge Link Road – one of Derry’s main bypass routes – was sealed off yesterday while police used sniffer dogs in a detailed search around the explosion area.
It followed reports that a massive explosion was heard in the Galliagh area shortly before midnight.
It was initially thought that a gas cylinder had been thrown onto a bonfire. However, police later confirmed the noise was the result of an explosion in a fixed bin on the roadside.
Last October dissident republicans were blamed after police found a "complex and sophisticated device” close to a house at Ballyarnett village which is near the scene of the latest incident.
A number of bogus calls about a burglary were made in an attempt to lure police into the bomb ambush.
SDLP councillor for the area Brian Tierney said that while yesterday's security alert caused widespread disruption, police were right to proceed with caution given last year's attempt to lure them into an ambush.
The councillor also hit out at those responsible saying that children played in fields in the area close to where the bomb exploded.
“Any explosion of any nature could have put their lives at risk. If this proves to have been a bomb, those behind it have been utterly reckless."
Sinn Fein assembly member Raymond McCartney said, while it was initially believed young people had placed a gas canister in a fire, police became concerned when they discovered the destroyed bin with wires leading from it.
Ulster Unionist assembly member Ross Hussey said the bomb was evidence that dissident republicans didn’t care who they might kill or injure.
“Once again local people and the security forces have had their personal safety put at risk by faceless thugs and cowards as a result of an indiscriminate attack."
Mr Hussey said those responsible for “planting explosive devices” merely made life a misery for local people.
Police meanwhile have said they are keen to hear from anyone who noticed any activity in the Skeoge Road areaon Tuesday night or anyone who has any information to contact detectives in Strand Road Police Station on the non-emergency number 101.
Alternatively information can also be passed anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
