Ebrington Hotel device put families at risk, says Alderman Guy

Alderman Darren Guy, Foyle Assembly candidate, has condemned those responsible after the PSNI confirmed that a device left at the Ebrington Hotel in Londonderry was a viable explosive device. The alert came as Ebrington Square was busy with young families at the funfair, in a week when tens of thousands of visitors are expected in the city for Halloween.

Alderman Guy said:

“I am totally disgusted by the reckless actions of whatever group left a viable explosive device at the Ebrington Hotel. In a week when tens of thousands of people will visit the city for the Halloween celebrations, and with most hotels booked up, this was designed to gain maximum exposure for a cause that has no place in our modern society.

“The owners of the Ebrington Hotel have built up an excellent business which provides employment for many local people. It is disgraceful that these criminals would put the lives of staff, hotel guests and the wider public at risk. Ebrington Square was packed with young families enjoying the funfair on Tuesday when the alarm was raised.

“I believe the hotel was targeted because it opens its doors to anyone wishing to hold an event there. A recent careers event made the headlines when a local councillor objected to the RAF attending, saying the British military were not wanted in the city.

“Ironically, because of those who want ‘Brits Out’, the British Army’s ATO had to be brought back into Ebrington Square, the site of the old barracks, to deal with the device and keep the people of this city safe from harm.”