A wave of parcel bombs sent to army recruitment offices in England was “disgraceful, futile and utterly irresponsible”, according to NI Conservatives’ spokesman and chair of the charity NI Veterans’ Support, Mark Brotherston.
“It is baffling what Irish republican dissidents, who were apparently responsible for these seven devices, hoped to achieve”, Mark said. “We can only suppose that they were motivated by blind hatred and an absolute determination to murder or maim, because their actions will not achieve the smallest advance for their so-called political ideology.”
“Some Irish republicans seem unable to accept that the barrier to a united Ireland does not lie in England. The barrier is the positive commitment of the vast majority of people, a growing majority right across the community in Northern Ireland, to our continued place in the United Kingdom. These attempts at violence should redouble our determination not to be dragged back to the dark past. The future has to be about building relationships rather than destroying them.”
“We’re relieved that the bombs were intercepted before they could kill or injure innocent people. These were the most cowardly of attacks and I’d urge anyone with any information to contact the police. It is vital that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”