Children Hurt In Wheelie Bin Bomb In Northern Ireland

Two 12-year-olds, and a two-year-old toddler, were struck by flying debris when a bomb hidden inside a wheelie bin exploded on Saturday afternoon.

The incident has been compared to the Omagh bombing in 1998 because a warning had said the bomb was located in one place, and then it exploded in another.

An anonymous call to the Samaritans said a device had been placed near the "Model School", but there was no mention of what town.

Police across Northern Ireland were checking all Model schools, when the bomb went off without any further warning at Kilmaine Street in Lurgan.

The PSNI believes its officers were the intended target, and that dissident republicans had been trying to lure police into the area, and set off the bomb precisely where they would have been trying keep people back.

The attack has been condemned by the politicians across the political spectrum.

First Minister Peter Robinson said: "This attack was designed to maim, injure and kill whoever happened to be close by, including children."

"There can be no doubt as to just how depraved and evil these criminals are."

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "No cause or belief will be served by attacks on children. These attacks must stop and stop now, this is not the way forward for any section of society."

Despite official denials from both the British and Irish governments, it's widely believed that secret talks have been taking place in recent weeks between the two governments and dissident republicans.

PSNI chief constable Matt Baggott said these talks were "not a betrayal" if there are happening, but conditions would have to be attached.

He said dissident republican activity cannot be dealt with by policing alone.