PEOPLE behind hoax dissident bomb alerts in Derry yesterday aimed to "cause significant disruption", police have said.
PSNI Superintendent Gordon McCalmont said a caller using a code word attributable to dissident republicans claimed bombs had been left at a garage on Strand Road and at the Da Vinci's hotel complex on Culmore Road.
Rush-hour traffic was gridlocked when police closed both main roads during yesterday's alerts.
"Both areas have been checked and no devices have been located," the senior officer said.
"These reckless actions were clearly intended to cause significant disruption on a particularly busy Friday night, as the city continues to host the annual City of Derry Jazz festival. Both roads have now reopened.
“I understand the frustration felt and the disruption caused - and I would like to thank the local community for their patience this evening as we worked to keep people safe.”
Earlier, the owner of Da Vinci's hotel called for urgent action to address an upsurge in security alerts in the city.
Garvan O’Doherty said he was concerned about the impact on the city's image "particularly when you have guests from all over Ireland, the UK and Europe visiting Derry for the festival".
Mr O’Doherty said he was also concerned about recent tensions in Derry surrounding the annual Easter Monday commemoration parade and an upsurge in dissident republican activity.
“We need to address the growing dissident republican activity and the Easter parade circumstances as we attempt to develop the city for the future and the younger generation," he said.
Yesterday's alerts followed three separate bomb hoaxes at the homes of elderly parents of serving police officers on Wednesday and Thursday. Suspect devices, which all turned out to be elaborate hoaxes, were left at the families’ homes in Brandywell, Creggan and Shantallow.
