EXPLOSIVE HOAXES TARGETED RELATIVES
Explosive hoaxes 'targeted relatives'
By Seamus McKinney
Derry Correspondent
TWO bomb scares on either side of Strabane on Saturday have been described as "detestable and sickening" by police who claimed they were designed to target people travelling to Omagh for commemoration services.
Shortly after 5pm on Saturday two taxis were stopped in Strabane and a number of men threatened the drivers at gunpoint before placing devices in the boots of the vehicles.
They ordered the drivers to take the cars to the Derry Road and to Sion Mills RUC station.
Police launched immediate security operations, closing off the areas around the cars and evacuating a number of homes around Sion Mills RUC station.
The devices were eventually declared to be hoaxes.
RUC chief in Strabane, Superintendent Richard Russell, said the incidents were an obvious attempt to disrupt traffic travelling to Omagh for the weekend's commemoration events for victims of last year's bombing.
Describing the incidents as "detestable and sickening", he said that while Sinn Fein may complain about the disruption, no-one should have any doubt about where the blame lay.
By Seamus McKinney
Derry Correspondent
TWO bomb scares on either side of Strabane on Saturday have been described as "detestable and sickening" by police who claimed they were designed to target people travelling to Omagh for commemoration services.
Shortly after 5pm on Saturday two taxis were stopped in Strabane and a number of men threatened the drivers at gunpoint before placing devices in the boots of the vehicles.
They ordered the drivers to take the cars to the Derry Road and to Sion Mills RUC station.
Police launched immediate security operations, closing off the areas around the cars and evacuating a number of homes around Sion Mills RUC station.
The devices were eventually declared to be hoaxes.
RUC chief in Strabane, Superintendent Richard Russell, said the incidents were an obvious attempt to disrupt traffic travelling to Omagh for the weekend's commemoration events for victims of last year's bombing.
Describing the incidents as "detestable and sickening", he said that while Sinn Fein may complain about the disruption, no-one should have any doubt about where the blame lay.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0321
Published Date: 16-Aug-99
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