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'Viable' explosive device found near school in north Belfast Police target of bomb found near north Belfast school, says officer
(about 1 hour later)
Police in Northern Ireland have said a “viable device” has been found near a school in north Belfast. Dissident republicans left a bomb next to a primary school in north Belfast in an attempt to murder police, a senior officer has said.
The explosive was discovered near Holy Cross boys’ primary school in the Herbert Street area of Ardoyne. A number of residents in the area were evacuated for several hours. The device, described as “viable, significant and reckless”, was discovered in an alleyway beside Holy Cross boys’ primary school in Ardoyne area of the city shortly before midnight on Saturday.
Police said the device had been taken away for scientific analysis. The residents of 20 homes in area had to be evacuated for several hours while the bomb squad was called in.
The Sinn Féin councillor JJ Magee condemned those responsible. “This security alert in Ardoyne has brought nothing but disruption to the local area,” he said. “A number of residents have had to leave their homes as a result. This is the last thing people need. Ch Supt Chris Noble of Police Service of Northern Ireland said the bomb plot was provocative as the Holy Cross school name is synonymous with sectarian protests a decade and a half ago which targeted Catholic schoolgirls.
“The local community wants to be able to go about their business in peace without these type of incidents that serve no purpose whatsoever.” “It’s a very significant device more than capable of causing death and serious injury,” he said.
The device was placed at the school gates and the Sinn Féin MLA for the area, Gerry Kelly, said it was designed to kill. “I condemn it outright,” he said. “There’s no doubt that device was there to try and kill community police officers on the beat … but also it was left in such a reckless manner and in such a reckless location that it would have undoubtedly led to the death or serious injury of a member of the public had it exploded anywhere near them.”
“Those behind it have no regard whatsoever for this community and they need to end these futile acts.” Noble said he was in no doubt that dissident republicans were behind the incident in an attempt to kill officers.
Twenty homes had to be evacuated during the security alert. Kelly said: “I welcome the fact that this device was found before it killed or injured somebody and anyone with information should bring it to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.” The alleyway where the device was found is used by people as a route to and from local houses, and it was also said to be where local young people gather.
Mark Lindsay, the chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, said those behind the attack wanted to murder or maim officers. The PSNI appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious around midnight to come forward.
“All we need are the bits of the jigsaw to try and understand who was in the area, what people saw, because that’s what detectives can then build their investigation on,” Noble said.
Sinn Féin s for the area, Gerry Kelly, said the device was designed to kill. “I condemn it outright,” he said. “Those behind it have no regard whatsoever for this community and they need to end these futile acts.”
Mark Lindsay, chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, said those behind the attack wanted to murder or maim officers.
“They didn’t care if passersby or children out playing in the area were caught up in an explosion. It was an entirely reckless act,” he said.“They didn’t care if passersby or children out playing in the area were caught up in an explosion. It was an entirely reckless act,” he said.
“This appears to have been a deadly, anti-personnel type weapon. Thankfully, it was recovered and removed without being detonated. The attackers are terrorising people who live in the area and preventing them from getting on with their everyday lives.” “This appears to have been a deadly, anti-personnel type weapon. Thankfully, it was recovered and removed without being detonated.
The PFNI reiterated appeals for information. Lindsay added: “The local community, indeed Northern Ireland as a whole, want to be rid of these terrorists who are holding back communities and creating misery for the many.” “The attackers are terrorising people who live in the area and preventing them from getting on with their everyday lives.”
The local SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said the threat was a chilling reminder that some people were still intent on taking life and causing injury in the community. Local SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said the threat was a chilling reminder that some people are still intent on taking life and causing injury in the community.
“These people are prepared to put children and other residents in harm’s way,” he said. There can be no justification for this kind of attack on our community.” “There can be no justification for this kind of attack.,” he added.