Politicians today accused dissident republicans of trying to whip up tensions by exploding a bomb in Northern Ireland ahead of a meeting on the peace process.
Ahead of talks involving the Taoiseach, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and pro-Agreement parties tomorrow in Hillsborough Castle, the Continuity IRA claimed it planted the bomb that exploded last night at an entrance to the offices of Fermanagh District Council in Enniskillen.
The blast at about 7.10 p.m. caused slight damage to the town hall in the centre of the town. Police evacuated the area before the explosion occurred. Councillors were due to meet a representative of the Road Service when the attack took place.
Later, police said six officers suffered minor injuries as they tried to clear the area where the bomb was planted. "There are no reports of any civilian injuries," a spokesman added.
A man arrested by police is still being questioned by police today.
There are fears today that the attack could mark an intensification of a dissident campaign. Sources close to Continuity IRA - quoted by the PA newsagency - warned : "The British had better be prepared. There will always be people prepared to take up arms against their rule here.
"This was to let the Brits know they are still there and prepared to fight".
The Sinn Féin MP for the area, Ms Michelle Gildernew, said: "Those who carried it out are opposed to the peace process and opposed to the Good Friday Agreement". But she said the attack could have been a reaction to the continued military presence in some parts of Co Fermanagh.Her comments provoked unionist anger. Local UUP councillor Mr Tom Elliott said: "The army didn't plant and detonatethe bomb. The army didn't attempt to kill or maim innocent people. The people Michelle Gildernew tried to make excuses for were responsible".SDLP Assembly member Mr Tommy Gallagher insisted it "was no accident" dissidents had planted a bomb just two days before a crucial meeting aimed at getting the peace process back on track.
In the House of Commons last night, Northern Ireland Office Security Minister Ms Jane Kennedy revealed police also received a bomb warning last night in Omagh - the scene of a "Real IRA" explosion which killed 29 people in August 1998 - but that no device was found.
PA