MURDER BID PLOT FOILED ON POLICE OFFICERS AFTER HOAX BOMB TRAP

Chief Inspector Andy Lemon condemns dissident over bomb left to kill police

HAWK-EYED police officers have been praised after they foiled a bomb bid to kill them following a hoax alert.

Police first responded to a first alert which turned out to be a hoax.

Then in follow up searches, a PSNI unit located a second viable device.

The PSNI believe the first device was left to lure them into the area.

Following the discovery of a second suspect device in Tribune Chief Inspector Andy Lemon said: “Police officers carrying out searches in Tribune have located a second device in the garden of house close to the first scene.

“At this stage this device has all the hallmarks of a deliberate attempt to kill or injure not only police officers but could also have caused death or serious injury to members of the local community.

“Despite this, police in Strabane remain committed to keeping people safe.

“We apologise for the inconvenience to people living in the area and would like to thank them for their continued patience. It is not easy to be asked to leave your home and we appreciate the support we have received from the local community

“Ultimately those who left THESE OBJECTS are responsible for this inconvenience.

“If anyone has any information, or saw any suspicious activity in the area recently, Please contact Strabane police on the non emergency number 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”