Ford condemns bomb in Derry

Justice Minister David Ford has today condemned those responsible for a bomb attack in Shipquay Street in Derry.

David Ford said: "This bomb was left in the centre of a shopping area on a Saturday afternoon as people were going about their normal business. It is an attack on the local community and I condemn it wholeheartedly.

"I want to thank the police for their swift actions in clearing the area. This bomb could clearly have caused death or serious injury so it is a great relief that no-one was injured as a result of these wreckless actions.

"I urge anyone with any information to bring it to the police."

Justice Minister condemns murder of police officer

The Minister, who has been briefed by the Chief Constable and spoken to Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter, has said that people across Ireland will be sickened by the killing of the officer.

David Ford said: "Firstly my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the police officer and I send my condolences to them.

"This brutal murder will be condemned without reservation across the political spectrum and will shock and sicken people both North and South .

"Those responsible for the murder have nothing to offer the people of Northern Ireland but heartache and suffering.

"They represent no-one and yet have today murdered in a cowardly and ultimately pointless way a man who was drawn from this community and was serving this community, merely because of the service he was providing. I know the disgust and hurt many will feel at this act and would ask anyone with information which could bring those responsible to justice to tell the PSNI immediately."

Robinson and McGuinness condemn murder

First Minister Rt Hon Peter D Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA have condemned this afternoon's murder of a policeman as cowardly and evil.

Mr Robinson said: "The murder of a young catholic policeman newly recruited to the PSNI is shocking and deplorable. To plant a bomb under the car of a defenceless policeman is the type of cowardly act of murder that we had hoped we had seen the last of. This attack is intended to deter young catholics from joining the police and I urge them not to be deterred by those who have nothing to offer our society.

"Those who perpetrated this act hoped to destabilise our community in the run up to the local elections in May. I would like to take this opportunity to send them a very clear message; the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland are stronger today than they have been at any other time in our history. The people of Northern Ireland have rejected violence and this act will not further the cause of dissidents one iota.

"I would like to offer the officer's family and loved ones my deepest condolences, my thoughts and prayers are with them all."

Mr McGuinness: "My thoughts and prayers are foremost with the family, friends and colleagues of this young police officer.

"In joining the PSNI this young man sought to protect and serve the community; to be part of defining a better future for us all.

"Whoever carried out this act offer nothing to the community and have no role to play in our future. They have betrayed the community and set themselves against the will of the people of Ireland. No cause is served by this act and let no excuse be acknowledged."

"While those behind this act seek to promote division and conflict let us state clearly, they will fail. The process of peace building will continue and the community is united in rejection of them."

Robinson and McGuinness meet Obama in White House

First Minister the Rt. Hon. Peter D. Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA, have met with President Obama in The White House.

Speaking after the meeting in the Oval Office the First Minister said: "We greatly appreciate the audience we've had with President Obama today. He reaffirmed his support and ongoing commitment and that of his administration to the development of the Northern Ireland economy. He was keen to hear of progress since the devolution of policing and justice powers. We thanked him for his continued support and pressed on him the importance of inward investment as we strive to deliver a stable society, bolstered by economic growth."

Mr McGuinness said: "As we come to the end of the first full uninterrupted Assembly term we outlined to the President the progress we have made, the challenges we face and our commitment that we would continue to move forward. It would be a tremendous boost if he was able to pay an official visit before the end of this term. Such a visit would further cement the great relationship we've enjoyed with successive US administrations during recent years."