Republican News · Thursday 8 August 2002

Derry bombing claims life

Foyle Assembly member Mitchel McLaughlin has expressed condolences to the family of David Caldwell, the construction worker killed in an explosion in Derry on Thursday 1 August. The 51-year-old father of four, from the village of Eglinton outside Derry, was killed when he picked up a booby-trapped lunch box left lying at a Territorial Army Barracks in Derry. The barracks is located on the Limavady Road in the Waterside area of the city.

In a statement the Sinn Féin leader said:

"I express my sincere condolences and those of my party to the family of David Caldwell, killed in Derry today. It was to be hoped that this type of occurrence was a thing of the past but there are those who are intent on undermining the efforts of the rest of us who are resolute in our determination to forge a peaceful course out of conflict.

"If, as is being speculated, this action is proven to be the work of what are referred to as dissident republicans, I call on those involved to desist from further actions and disband. Their actions serve only to bolster the agenda of those in the British military and political establishment that are opposed to the peace process. We also urge unionist politicians to use their influence to have similar anti-Agreement groups from the unionist constituency disband. These groups have no vision, strategy or politics that will contribute to conflict resolution.

"No group can seek to justify this death as being some form of military action."