Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie MC, has praised the Police and Army for their actions in defusing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Strabane earlier today.
Doug Beattie MC MLA said:
“Yet again it is clear that republican terrorists are intent on continuing their murderous campaign.
“The finding, clearance and disposal of yet another bomb - this time in Strabane - by Army Technical Officers following a proactive and intelligence led operation by the PSNI, demonstrates that there remains a hard core of republican terrorists who refuse to get in lane and move in the same direction as the rest of society.
“Had this device been deployed it could have brought carnage to the streets in the same indiscriminate way previous explosive devices have. If these terrorists have any genuine grievances - which I seriously doubt - then they should bring them forward in a democratic way and allow the people of Strabane and the rest of Northern Ireland to live in peace.
“I commend the PSNI and the military who support them in continuing tackle low level terrorism here in Northern Ireland. It is important that they have support from everyone in society - particularly elected representatives.
“I continue to call for a strong response by the justice system in both denying these individuals special status in our prisons and, where charges are proven, ensuring that the penalty matches the crime.”