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Everglades defies bombers
The Everglades Hotel in Derry defied those behind the firebomb attack on the premises on Friday by re-opening fo rbusiness on Saturday.
The foyer of the hotel was badly damaged after a masked man left a device in around 11 p.m. on Thursday night. The device exploded some hours later causing fire and smoke damage to the foyer area of the hotel. However, no one was hurt as the staff had succeeded in evacuating all the guests including 15 people in the city for the funeral of a relative. Following the blast the Hast-
ings Group who own the hotel vowed that it would be business as usual for th ehotel as soon as possible. Repair crews worked all night on Friday night to ensure that th ehotel was ready to open its doors again on Saturday just in time to receive a party of fifty from the US who were due to arrive on Saturday afternoon. Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness also paid a visit to th ehotel on Saturday to
show’solidarity’ with staff. Condeming the bombers Mr. McGuinness said that the people of Derry will not be held back by those living in the past. Martin McGuinness said: “I’m relieved that no one was killed or injured in this attack and I extend my thanks to everyone who helped to safely evacuate people from the hotel. “I condemn unreservedly this fire bomb attack on the Everglades.
“Derry is a place looking to the future and those promoting and building the changing city will not be held back by those living in the past. “Those behind this attack have nothing to offer and should end their futile actions now.” The Mayor of Derry , Cllr Martin Reilly also condemned the fire bomb attack on the Everglades Hotel describing it as an attack on the entire community. “On a night when our city was
winning awards for the performance in the tourism sector we are reminded that there is a small minority who are intent in putting lives in danger and holding our city back,” The Mayor said. Praising the efforts of the hotel management, staff and emergency services in dealing with the incident, the Mayor said their prompt actions and professionalism had undoubtedly saved lives. “My thoughts are with the hotel staff at this time. This was a very cowardly attack that will not deter us from promoting our city as a tourist destination. It’s very unfortunate that hotel residents and people living in the Prehen Road area had to experience this and every effort will be made to get the Everglades Hotel up and running again as soon as possible. This is an attack on the whole city but rest assured, it will not it deter us from the good work we are doing to move the city forward. “I know who the real heroes of the city are - it’s those who are intent on positively promoting Derry to the wider world, not those who seek to bomb and destroy,” he added. Meanwhile leading Derry dissident republican Gary Donnelly who topped the poll in the council elections accused First Minister Peter Robinson of do-
ing more damage to economy with his comments about Muslims and Islam then the hotel bombers. He slammed: “To those who talk the damage to the economy all I have to say is that Peter Robinson did more damage to the economy with one statement than this bomb ever did,” he claimed. The Derry councillor elect added: “People who planted this device will give their own rationale. “I’m not in the business of speaking for them nor have I ever been. “I will not be acting as their cheerleader but at the same time not calling them traitors.” “History has shown that the politics of condemnation do not work. “I would condemn the situation in this country with the British denial of Irish sovereignty it means things like this will happen. “Sources say the Derry hotel was targeted because it has recently hosted a PSNI recruitment event and was due to hold another.” The leading dissident republican added: “There is an onus on the people who planted the device to protect civilians at all times equally there is an onus on the PSNI to be aware of where they are doing their propaganda and recruitment.”