Family attacked in loyalist feud

A woman who escaped injury with her nine-month-old daughter in a pipe bomb attack in Derry has said they were an easy target.

Tonya O’Donnell, a mother-of-four, discovered the device on the bonnet of a car in the Waterside area shortly before 10am yesterday.

Houses in the area were evacuated, although one elderly man was too ill to be moved.

British Army technical officers carried out a controlled explosion on the object, which police later described as a “viable explosive device”.

Ms O’Donnell said she initially thought the device was a part from her husband’s car but on seeing wires she realised it was more sinister.

“I saw a battery and wires and thought there’s something strange here, so I just said ‘I have to get the baby out and get away’,” she said.

“I just left the doors open and the car running and I just ran up the street.”

Ms O’Donnell said she believed the incident may be linked to a feud in the loyalist area.

“We are an easy target because we live up near the river, I think that’s why we have been hit.

“I don’t know what kind of people they must be - they must have no hearts, maybe killing wee children,” she told UTV.

“I don’t know what kind of people can make up something like that, their heads must be away. They’re scum.”

Urgent Appeal