Eglinton bomb find: three arrested by Gardai

Three men have been arrested in Donegal by Gardai following the discovery of a bomb under a car outside the home of two PSNI officers in Eglinton near Derry in the early hours of this morning.

The device was discovered at Glenrandel after police were called following a report of suspicious activity in the area.

Fifteen homes have been evacuated and a British army bomb disposal team are at the the scene (pictured).

Gardai said the three men were arrested near Ballybofey at approximately 4.00am.

A Garda spokesperson said they were detained after a car was stopped and searched by the Northern Regional Support Unit.

The car is now subject to a technical examination and searches are ongoing in the vicinity of where the car was stopped.

The three, aged between the late 20s and 30s, are all currently detained under Section 30 of Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at Letterkenny and Milford Garda Stations.

The attempt to kill the husband and wife officers has been widely condemned.

In a joint statement, Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop Ken Good, Dr Robert Buick and the Rev Peter Murray said they were appalled and there could be no justification for attempted murder.

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan said: "These people are capable of using a viable device, but they don't actually have a viable political strategy, no coherent message and it is not what the community want," he said.

"Let's be very clear about the support and sympathy and solidarity that we are offering to the police officer concerned."

Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Fleming described the attack as "wrong and futile".

"We are looking to the future and we will not be held back by those who want to drag us back to the past," he said.

"It's time these people caught up with the mood and wishes of the Irish people and abandon their activities."

Blaming dissident republicans, DUP MLA Gary Middleton said he hoped those responsible would “be brought to justice.” He added: "This is a tight-knit, settled community and people here are left completely shocked and disgusted by this act."