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Northern Ireland bomb 'could have killed police officer's family' Northern Ireland bomb 'could have killed police officer's family'
(4 months later)
A foiled attempt to murder a police officer in Northern Ireland was carried out by dissident republicans who could also have killed his family, police said.A foiled attempt to murder a police officer in Northern Ireland was carried out by dissident republicans who could also have killed his family, police said.
The Belfast-based Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) constable was about to take his wife and two young children out for Sunday lunch when he checked under his car outside his house in the city and discovered a viable device.The Belfast-based Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) constable was about to take his wife and two young children out for Sunday lunch when he checked under his car outside his house in the city and discovered a viable device.
Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton said: "If that officer had not checked under his car we would have been looking at a murder or multiple murders."Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton said: "If that officer had not checked under his car we would have been looking at a murder or multiple murders."
His car was parked at his home on the Upper Newtownards Road – a busy arterial route into the city centre.His car was parked at his home on the Upper Newtownards Road – a busy arterial route into the city centre.
The scene, which was sealed off until late on Sunday night amid an extensive security and forensic operation, is close to PSNI headquarters at Knock and the Northern Ireland assembly at Stormont.The scene, which was sealed off until late on Sunday night amid an extensive security and forensic operation, is close to PSNI headquarters at Knock and the Northern Ireland assembly at Stormont.
The justice minister, David Ford, condemned those responsible.The justice minister, David Ford, condemned those responsible.
"Fortunately, due to the officer's commendable vigilance, the attempt on his life was not successful," he said."Fortunately, due to the officer's commendable vigilance, the attempt on his life was not successful," he said.
"Let us be clear. This was an attack not only on a police officer and his family but on our whole community. The officer was serving the community; he was working for all of us."Let us be clear. This was an attack not only on a police officer and his family but on our whole community. The officer was serving the community; he was working for all of us.
"It is ironic that this latest attack was carried out so close to Stormont, where those who are democratically elected seek to move matters forward through debate."It is ironic that this latest attack was carried out so close to Stormont, where those who are democratically elected seek to move matters forward through debate.
"The people responsible for this and other recent attacks have no mandate and speak for no one. They need to recognise the futility of their campaign and respect the wishes of the vast majority of our community who want an end to all violent acts.""The people responsible for this and other recent attacks have no mandate and speak for no one. They need to recognise the futility of their campaign and respect the wishes of the vast majority of our community who want an end to all violent acts."
Residents of nearby homes were evacuated in the alert. A local church opened its doors to offer shelter while army technical officers worked to make the scene safe.Residents of nearby homes were evacuated in the alert. A local church opened its doors to offer shelter while army technical officers worked to make the scene safe.
Dissidents have repeatedly targeted security force members in recent years.Dissidents have repeatedly targeted security force members in recent years.
In November long-serving prison officer David Black, 52, was shot dead in a motorway ambush in Co Armagh as he drove to work.In November long-serving prison officer David Black, 52, was shot dead in a motorway ambush in Co Armagh as he drove to work.
A group styling itself the "new IRA" claimed responsibility for that attack. The faction was formed in the summer when a number of splinter groups joined forces.A group styling itself the "new IRA" claimed responsibility for that attack. The faction was formed in the summer when a number of splinter groups joined forces.
In April 2011 newly qualified police officer Ronan Kerr, 25, died when a dissident booby trap car bomb exploded under his vehicle at his home in Omagh.In April 2011 newly qualified police officer Ronan Kerr, 25, died when a dissident booby trap car bomb exploded under his vehicle at his home in Omagh.
Hamilton appealed for anyone with information on the latest murder bid to come forward.Hamilton appealed for anyone with information on the latest murder bid to come forward.
"Attacks on police officers are attacks on the entire community and cannot be allowed to continue," he said."Attacks on police officers are attacks on the entire community and cannot be allowed to continue," he said.
"We know there are people within our communities who know who did this, we know there are people out there who know exactly what is being planned."We know there are people within our communities who know who did this, we know there are people out there who know exactly what is being planned.
"My plea to them is not to allow this small minority to drag us back to the past.""My plea to them is not to allow this small minority to drag us back to the past."
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