Londonderry: Viable explosive device sent to hotel in package
BBC News reports on a recent incident in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, where a "viable postal device" was delivered to a hotel.
Police believe dissident republicans may be responsible for the device. It was discovered and safely detonated by Ammunition Technical Officers on Tuesday afternoon.
Chief Supt Gillian Kearney condemned the act as "shameful and utterly abhorrent," emphasizing that "those responsible clearly do not care who or what they harm." She appealed for information from the public.
The incident sparked concern, with a local policing watchdog chair suggesting a possible link to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) having a stall at a careers fare at the hotel earlier.
Reactions from the community were one of condemnation, with some highlighting the timing near Halloween and the potential impact on families and businesses.
Justice Minister Naomi Long also condemned the act, calling it "abhorrent" and praising the police officers who responded.
A local Ulster Unionist councillor, Darren Guy, suggested the incident might be linked to the MoD's presence at a careers event held at the hotel previously. He stressed that there is no justification whatsoever for such actions.