UK & World News
- 20 January 2012, 5:29
Two Bomb Blasts Hit City In Northern Ireland
Two explosions have been reported in Northern Ireland - one near a tourist office, the other near a benefits office in the centre of Londonderry.
Police said no one was injured in the blasts, which happened in Strand Road and Foyle Street.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland evacuated and cordoned off the area following telephone warnings.
Dissident republicans have launched a series of attacks in the city.
Londonderry is preparing to be the UK's City of Culture for 2013 and its organising office for the event has been targeted before.
The explosions happened shortly after 8pm. Residents and businesses in the area were evacuated.
Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliott said he had no doubt dissidents were behind the attacks.
"These attacks further no cause. They will not create a single job or attract a single pound of investment," he said.
"Londonderry should be enjoying the limelight as the UK City of Culture (next year), yet instead some madmen seem to think it is an opportunity for them to seize some publicity."
He added: "This type of fascism was part of our past. It has no place in our future."
what do you think?
Name witheld
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Er Moi
I wondered how Glasgow managed to get it.
Mark Crowe
You realise the Unionists want to stay in the Union dont you? Thats why they're called Unionists. Northern Ireland is protestant (predominantly) ROI is Catholic, the problem arises from religion not 'the claims of the UK', if Northern Ireland was taken in by the ROI the violence would likely increase significantly. I suggest you keep your thoughts to yourself in matters which you clearly have no knowledge, and to be frankly honest the only reason why salmond is doing so well is because its very easy for him to appeal to unintelligent people like yourself.
Les Hawkes
Dave seems to me you're a little confused or I have been away from Ulster for too long. Unionists and Loyalists are the same people, think you mean Republicans. Still this is what happens when you read or listen to the media reports. Nothing good can come from killing innocent folk wanting to go about thier lives like normal people want to.
Raymond Castle
Why is that in Afghanistan they are called terroists, in Iraq they are called extremists and in Ireland they are called dissidents. Is there a difference (and yes I know that one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. :0) )?
Dave Hugill
10:18pm on 19/1/2012
With Scotland going on about independance at least they got a fair vote. The counties of Derry, Fermanagh and Tyrone are predominantly unionist but have been governed for years by a Loyalist Government that has forced them to live like 2nd class citizens in their own country. The fact is the 6 counties of Ulster were held hostage by sabre rattling Loyalists who were planted in Ireland by an English king in order to"breed out" the Irish. It is no wonder that Unionists still lay claim to Ireland because it is theirs by Right as should have happened in 1922. If governments of UK and Ireland want peace in Ireland then set it free and give it back.
Norman Lindsay
11:00pm on 19/1/2012
As you are so politically aware, maybe you can tell me the difference between "Loyalist" and "Unionist"
Name witheld
12:07am on 20/1/2012
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Mark Crowe
12:52am on 20/1/2012
What made you think you should write that when you clearly have literally not the slightest clue of any of the situation at all. For further info, it should appear above, or for christs sake read a book or just Wiki it. Its this sort of Naive idiosy that causes problems in the first place. And you should be disappointed Ive had to tell you this.
david
1:09am on 20/1/2012
Correct. It is called northern Ireland for a reason. It is Irish! Only a bigot could avoid seeing this. Anyone living in N Ireland calling themselves British has no right to be there.
Mark Crowe
9:17am on 20/1/2012
Perhaps you'd like to go over there and tell them that David? Problem sorted, just remember to make funeral plans do we don't have to pay for it through the state.