Dissidents blamed for Derry bomb attack on family after extortion plan failed

A Londonderry family believe they were targeted in a bomb attack because they refused to hand over money to dissident republican paramilitaries.

A small pipe bomb exploded in a van outside 77-year-old Bridget Boyle's bungalow early on Sunday.

It came just days after men demanded money from members of her family, although they did not give them any.

Before the events of last week, Mrs Boyle's grandson was expelled from the city after his involvement in drugs "led him down a path no one in the family wanted".

Mrs Boyle's family believe her house was targeted by the same organisation that ordered her grandson to flee the city.

Mrs Boyle lives alone but her family take turns sleeping overnight at her home as she suffers from a chronic heart condition.

In the early hours of Sunday morning a loud bang outside the pensioner's bungalow woke her son, who found the windscreen of his van smashed and a small explosive device lying inside. Police and army bomb disposal experts were called to the scene and the device was deemed viable.

Mrs Boyle's family slammed those behind the attack which they say could have had fatal consequences for the elderly woman.

Mrs Boyle's daughter Bernadette said: "Whatever issue these paramilitaries had with my nephew, they should not have been brought to my mother's door in such a brutal manner.

"We are still trying to find out if this attack had any connection to the demands for money the family received two days earlier but it is a bit of a strange coincidence if they were not connected.

"My mother has a serious heart condition and this has left her in a terrible state, she hasn't closed her eyes since.

"She reared 10 of us on her own and at this time of her life she deserves some peace and dignity and definitely does not deserve to be terrified to sleep in her own home at night.

"My nephew has a problem with drugs which has led him down a path no one in the family wanted and we have tried to get him help but it seems these boys ordered him to go and he has, but that still isn't good enough."

Detectives are investigating and have appealed for information.

Detective Inspector Cherith Craig said: "Police attended the scene and cordoned off the area. ATO were tasked to examine the van and it was determined that a small home-made explosive device had gone off inside it."

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"We have no money. How can we give them what we don't have? But it seems they aren't interested.

"My brother is now without his van, my mother's health is worse than ever so I hope whoever is behind this takes a long look at themselves because now we are left wondering if they are coming back and which one of us will be next."

Bernadette Boyle

Belfast Telegraph