Nobody was hurt following the explosion
Footage has been released of the explosion that occurred in Derry on Saturday night outside Bishop Street courthouse.
The local PSNI Twitter account released the video on Sunday afternoon, and it shows a car parked directly outside the courthouse, before it bursts into flames.
Here’s a timeline of the events on Bishop Street, from the moment the car parks until the moment it explodes, as released by the PSNI.
Police release CCTV footage of car stopping outside courthouse on Bishops Street in Derry/Londonderry last night. pic.twitter.com/CLfXEyip4c
— Police Derry City and Strabane (@PSNIDCSDistrict) January 20, 2019
Police release CCTV footage of driver running away from car outside courthouse on Bishops Street in Derry/Londonderry last night. pic.twitter.com/0nXw7qzDt9
— Police Derry City and Strabane (@PSNIDCSDistrict) January 20, 2019
Police release CCTV footage of a group of young people walking past car outside courthouse on Bishops Street in Derry/Londonderry last night. pic.twitter.com/DL0hnfX8Xj
— Police Derry City and Strabane (@PSNIDCSDistrict) January 20, 2019
Police release CCTV footage of explosion outside courthouse on Bishops Street in Derry/Londonderry last night. pic.twitter.com/tqzqBdCZnv
— Police Derry City and Strabane (@PSNIDCSDistrict) January 20, 2019
Two arrests have been made following the incidents, and an investigation is underway.
The pair were arrested in the city this morning and remain in PSNI custody.
Earlier this afternoon, the PSNI released an updated statement where they described the attack as ‘unbelievably reckless’.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said: “At around 7.55pm last night officers on patrol in Bishop Street spotted a suspicious vehicle and were making checks when, around 5 minutes later, information was received that a device had been left at the courthouse.
“We moved immediately to begin evacuating people from nearby buildings including hundreds of hotel guests, 150 people from the Masonic Hall and a large number of children from a church youth club. The device detonated at 8.10pm.
“At this stage it appears as though the vehicle used had been hijacked from a delivery driver in the Quarry Street area a short time before the explosion. This attack was unbelievably reckless. Thankfully the attackers failed to kill or injure any members of the local community out socialising and enjoying the best of what the city has to offer.
“The people responsible for this attack have shown no regard for the community or local businesses. They care little about the damage to the area and the disruption they have caused. The area remains sealed off and church service at St Augustine’s has been moved to St Peters and the Cathedral services have been cancelled this morning as a result.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support and co-operation of the local community and I am appealing to anyone with information to please get in touch with us on 101. Information can also be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
