The horror of the overnight bombing near Castlederg is a timely reminder, if
one were needed, of the residue of extremism still lurking in our midst.
Thankfully, the police officer injured at Spamount did not, it would appear,
sustain life-threatening injuries.
Nevertheless, the terrorists responsible will believe they have achieved
their aim of sowing fear amongst police officers, particularly west of the
Bann.
The attack follows separate shootings of off-duty officers in Dungannon and
Londonderry six months ago. Both of those attacks appeared particularly to
be aimed at deterring nationalists from joining the PSNI.
As the figures for Catholic recruitment prove, this type of terrorism does
not work. Instead, last night's attack merely underlines the hopelessly weak
position of those few republicans still clinging to the old ways.
Information on their movements and conspiracies flows to the security
services on a daily basis, and their ability to mount attacks is extremely
limited.
It is essential today that Sinn Fein takes the lead in its community with an
exceptionally robust condemnation of last night's attempted murder and a
vigorous appeal for anyone with information to go to the police.
That will show the enemies of peace and reconciliation just how utterly
isolated they really are.
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