Killers had evil in their hearts: Hay

But the Foyle candidate urged people to defy the men of violence and use the Local Government and Assembly elections to send the clear message to those intent on bombing Londonderry: “You will not win.”

“My first thoughts are with the immediate family and the family circle of the young policeman. The people who executed and carried out this act had evil in their hearts. I was sickened when I heard the news,” said Mr Hay.

He said everyone he spoke to in the city since the weekend murder expressed abhorrence at the heartless action.

“They are not going to win and they are not going to be allowed to take us back. They can’t win and we won’t allow them to win,” he added.

Mr Hay expressed concern that violent republican groups would attempt to increase their activity over the next month in an attempt to disrupt the democratic process.

“Is this something that is going to continue in the run up to the elections?” he asked. “I do believe this is an attempt to disrupt the democratic process in Northern Ireland and I would appeal to the PSNI to review security, particularly in and around polling stations.”

He said the forthcoming Local and Assembly Elections were opportunities to send out a clear message for those looking to drag Northern Ireland back into the chaos of the past.

“Here is a real opportunity to come out in strength and register our support for the democratic and political process in Northern Ireland,” he said.