PSNI statement following sentencing for Lurgan mortar bomb - 2007
17 Sep 2009
Speaking after three men received jail sentences for their involvement in a live mortar bomb discovered by police in Lurgan in 2007, Assistant Chief Constable Drew Harris, Head of the PSNI's Crime Operations Department said:
"Damien McKenna, Gary Toman and Sean McConville's aim was to kill police officers in Lurgan with a live mortar bomb. But the stark reality is that had their plan been successful they could have caused death and serious injury, not only to police officers, but to members of the local community. They showed complete disregard for human life.
"Today, these men have been sent to prison for their actions. They were arrested and charged by officers from the Police Service's Serious Crime Branch, who used fibre and DNA evidence to link them to the bomb. That operation was supported significantly by local officers who on a daily basis provide the people of Craigavon with a community based policing service," said Mr Harris.
"The people of Northern Ireland have made it clear that they have seen enough unnecessary and pointless violence. We all want, and need, to move on from those dark times. Bombers and gunmen have nothing positive to offer the community. Not in the past, and not now.
"Police remain committed to providing the community with the level of policing it deserves and requires, and we ask everyone in the community to work together with us, to create an environment in which neighbourhood policing can properly flourish. As today has shown - when there are those who break the law and put the community at risk we will work vigorously, using the skills and expertise at our disposal, to bring those people to justice." said ACC Harris.
