Grenade incident prompts questions, criticism

A grenade found outside the County Fermanagh home of a PSNI policeman has been strongly condemned by the North’s political parties.

The apparently inert device was discovered at the property in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday evening.

PSNI Chief Inspector Alywin Barton said the attack was “inexcusable”.

“On a night where there were Arctic conditions, this family had to up sticks and rush from their homes,” Chief Inspector Barton added.

“It is unbelievable that someone would inflict this on anyone. The entire community in this area has been subjected to inhumane treatment.”

“Someone intentionally disrupted this family in the mouth of Christmas, virtually on Christmas Eve in what is supposed to be the season of goodwill.”

Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Michelle Gildernew, said those responsible for leaving the grenade “do not represent the nationalist or republican people of this area”.

It remains unclear who was responsible for the incident, the latest in a number of unclaimed alerts in recent weeks.

Meanwhile Sinn Fein’s Caral Ni Chuilin also slammed those who have left a device in the New Lodge area of north Belfast before Christmas.

“Whoever is behind this device needs to seriously consider their actions. They have placed local residents at risk, and two days before Christmas in sub zero temperatures have forced 50 families to leave their homes.”

Urgent Appeal