Police will not be deflected from RAAD probe

The terror group claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on a police vehicle during police searches in the Creggan area last weekend, despite a public statement last year saying they would not use pipe bombs again in built up areas.

There were also stones and bottles hurled at police during the search operation directed against dissident republican and RAAD. In contrast, during searches a couple of months ago in the Top of the Hill area, police were able to operate without any trouble. Interestingly, graffiti was painted on walls in the Top of the Hill area in the early hours of today, saying ‘RAAD not welcome here’.

Much of the recent anti-RAAD activity by police has focussed in the Creggan area and police said today that they are taking seriously a threat that officers will again be targeted by the terrorists.

PSNI chiefs had already said this week that they believe the hijacking of a pensioner’s van in the Creggan area on Tuesday night was a bid to lure police into an ambush.

In that incident, two or three males with scarves over their faces approached the 76 year-old male driver of the van in the Creggan area around 9.30pm and ordered him to get out of the vehicle as well as his female passenger. No-one was injured however the driver and passenger were very distressed by the incident.

A short time later, the van was found blocking the road at Fanad Drive and had been set on fire. A large group of youths had gathered and a number of petrol bombs were seen. As fire crews arrived on the scene the crowd grew hostile and fire crews had to withdraw.

Police also received reports of a suspicious object on the road at around 10.30pm which was a hoax. Police believe these incidents are linked.

Inspector Jon Burrows said: “This was clearly another attempt to lure Police into the area to cause disorder. This is part of the ongoing campaign to attack Police and cause chaos on the streets.

“We worked extensively with community and political representatives last night to keep this area calm. It is an absolute disgrace that these mindless thugs continue to victimise local people, particularly the most vulnerable in our community. How can any right-thinking person pull a 76 year-old man from his vehicle? I would appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information to contact us and help us identify those responsible.”

A police vehicle was badly damaged when police came under attack during searches linked to dissident republican activity in the Creggan area at the weekend.

Police are treating that incident as attempted murder.

RAAD claimed responsibility for that attack. It is now believed that it is building closer links to other dissident republican groups in the city.

As it was reported today that police were taking the threat of more attacks seriously, the city’s most senior police officer, Chief Superintendent Stephen Martin insisted that the PSNI would not be deflected from investigating the group, which has been responsible for a campaign of murder and intimidation in recent years,