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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Bomb under policeman's car - PSNI blame dissident republicans | Bomb under policeman's car - PSNI blame dissident republicans |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A viable bomb placed under a serving police officer's car in Belfast was a murder attempt by dissident republican paramilitaries, the police have said. | A viable bomb placed under a serving police officer's car in Belfast was a murder attempt by dissident republican paramilitaries, the police have said. |
| The unexploded device was discovered on the Upper Newtownards Road at about 14:00 GMT on Sunday. | The unexploded device was discovered on the Upper Newtownards Road at about 14:00 GMT on Sunday. |
| Army bomb disposal officers were called to deal with the device and carried out a controlled explosion. | Army bomb disposal officers were called to deal with the device and carried out a controlled explosion. |
| The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the bomb was "clearly intended to kill the police officer". | The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the bomb was "clearly intended to kill the police officer". |
| Evacuated | Evacuated |
| In a statement, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton said: "It is very fortunate that this device was detected before it exploded and that no one was killed or seriously injured. | In a statement, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton said: "It is very fortunate that this device was detected before it exploded and that no one was killed or seriously injured. |
| A few seconds on his knees to look under his car saved a police officer and his family from carnage on their way to have Sunday lunch. | |
| As his wife and two young children watched, he carried out his routine search of his vehicle and spotted a device intended to kill him. | |
| "We are very grateful that this officer acted in the way he did and checked his car, otherwise the consequences would have been absolutely devastating for him and his family," says Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton. | |
| Hours after it was discovered, the bomb was defused in a controlled explosion by the army. | |
| However the device was recovered partially intact and police hope forensic tests could identify those who made and planted it. | |
| "Initial investigations would indicate that this was a viable device placed below an officer's car sometime in the last 48 hours." | "Initial investigations would indicate that this was a viable device placed below an officer's car sometime in the last 48 hours." |
| ACC Hamilton added that the officer's family and neighbours "were also put at risk of serious harm". | ACC Hamilton added that the officer's family and neighbours "were also put at risk of serious harm". |
| A number of houses in the area had to be evacuated while Army bomb officers made the device safe. | A number of houses in the area had to be evacuated while Army bomb officers made the device safe. |
| ACC Hamilton added: "Our belief is that this attempted murder was carried by those opposed to peace from within dissident republicanism. | ACC Hamilton added: "Our belief is that this attempted murder was carried by those opposed to peace from within dissident republicanism. |
| "They don't care who they attack, they don't care who they kill. They are simply anti-peace and determined to carry on bringing pain and devastation to families and communities by maiming and killing," he said. | "They don't care who they attack, they don't care who they kill. They are simply anti-peace and determined to carry on bringing pain and devastation to families and communities by maiming and killing," he said. |
| Booby-trap | Booby-trap |
| The chairman of Northern Ireland's Police Federation said he would be seeking a meeting with Chief Constable Matt Baggott to discuss officers' personal security. | The chairman of Northern Ireland's Police Federation said he would be seeking a meeting with Chief Constable Matt Baggott to discuss officers' personal security. |
| Terry Spence said more needed to be done to ensure officers' safety at home and at work. | Terry Spence said more needed to be done to ensure officers' safety at home and at work. |
| "It could be argued that at this stage there are not sufficient resources available to police officers in dealing with this threat. However that is a matter that I will be raising with the chief constable," said Mr Spence. | "It could be argued that at this stage there are not sufficient resources available to police officers in dealing with this threat. However that is a matter that I will be raising with the chief constable," said Mr Spence. |
| Northern Ireland Office Minister Mike Penning said everything the chief constable and Justice Minister David Ford had asked for to combat violent groups had been provided. | Northern Ireland Office Minister Mike Penning said everything the chief constable and Justice Minister David Ford had asked for to combat violent groups had been provided. |
| "I know there are calls for more police and more this and more that but at the end of the day our police force are doing a fantastic job out there," he said. | "I know there are calls for more police and more this and more that but at the end of the day our police force are doing a fantastic job out there," he said. |
| "The security forces and the security services are doing excellent work as well, so we're doing everything we possibly can, but I have to say we have to be vigilant. | "The security forces and the security services are doing excellent work as well, so we're doing everything we possibly can, but I have to say we have to be vigilant. |
| Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Vernon Coaker MP said: "This is an utterly reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer and his family. | Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Vernon Coaker MP said: "This is an utterly reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer and his family. |
| "An attack on the police is an attack on the entire community. | "An attack on the police is an attack on the entire community. |
| "The bravery of the PSNI is in stark contrast to the actions of those who planted a bomb under this family's car just days after Christmas." | "The bravery of the PSNI is in stark contrast to the actions of those who planted a bomb under this family's car just days after Christmas." |
| In recent years, dissident republican paramilitary groups have carried out a number of attacks on PSNI officers. | In recent years, dissident republican paramilitary groups have carried out a number of attacks on PSNI officers. |
| In April 2011, Constable Ronan Kerr was killed when a booby-trap car bomb exploded under his car in Omagh, County Tyrone. | In April 2011, Constable Ronan Kerr was killed when a booby-trap car bomb exploded under his car in Omagh, County Tyrone. |
| The previous year, Constable Peadar Heffron lost a leg in a similar attack as he drove to work in Randalstown, County Antrim. | The previous year, Constable Peadar Heffron lost a leg in a similar attack as he drove to work in Randalstown, County Antrim. |
| The SDLP's spokesperson on policing, Conall McDevitt, condemned the latest attack, describing it as a "cynical and deplorable act". | The SDLP's spokesperson on policing, Conall McDevitt, condemned the latest attack, describing it as a "cynical and deplorable act". |
| 'Heartache' | 'Heartache' |
| Robin Newton from the DUP said the attack was an attempt to murder. | Robin Newton from the DUP said the attack was an attempt to murder. |
| "Those who placed this potential bomb have nothing to offer the community except heartache and sorrow," the East Belfast MLA said. | "Those who placed this potential bomb have nothing to offer the community except heartache and sorrow," the East Belfast MLA said. |
| The Alliance MLA for the area, Chris Lyttle, said: "My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the officer and the family directly affected by this cowardly act." | The Alliance MLA for the area, Chris Lyttle, said: "My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the officer and the family directly affected by this cowardly act." |