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Belfast shopping mall bomb plot: police arrest two men Belfast shopping mall bomb plot: police arrest two men
(about 1 hour later)
Two men have been arrested over an attempt to bomb one of Belfast's premier shopping malls last month. Two men have been arrested over an attempt to bomb a Belfast's premier shopping mall last month.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the pair were detained in connection with a car bomb left at Victoria Square shopping centre on 24 November.The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the pair were detained in connection with a car bomb left at Victoria Square shopping centre on 24 November.
A masked gang forced a north Belfast man at gunpoint to take an explosive device in his car to the city centre. On arrival at Victoria Square the man who feared his family were in danger back in the republican Ardoyne district ran from the car and alerted the police. A masked gang forced a north Belfast man at gunpoint to take an explosive device in his car to the city centre. On arrival at Victoria Square the man, who feared his family was in danger back in the republican Ardoyne district, ran from the car and alerted the police.
The device partially exploded as army bomb experts prepared to examine the vehicle. No one was injured.The device partially exploded as army bomb experts prepared to examine the vehicle. No one was injured.
The two men in detention are aged 34 and 44 and were arrested in north Belfast.The two men in detention are aged 34 and 44 and were arrested in north Belfast.
They have been taken to the PSNI's serious crimes suite at Antrim police station for questioning. They have been taken to the PSNI's serious crimes suite at Antrim police station for questioning. The bomb at Victoria Square contained 60kg of home-made explosives.
The bomb at Victoria Square contained 60kg of home-made explosives. Meanwhile, further arrests in relation to dissident republican activity have been carried out in south Armagh.
Meanwhile further arrests in relation to dissident republican activity have been carried out in south Armagh.
A 19-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman were arrested in the Forkhill area on Tuesday night and have also been taken to Antrim PSNI station for questioning.A 19-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman were arrested in the Forkhill area on Tuesday night and have also been taken to Antrim PSNI station for questioning.
The hunt is still ongoing for a man who caught fire as he allegedly tried to plant a firebomb inside a golf store in central Belfast on Monday evening. The hunt is ongoing for a man who caught fire as he allegedly tried to plant a firebomb inside a golf store in central Belfast on Monday evening.
The man, described by witnesses as being in his mid-40s, tried to take the incendiary bomb out of his pocket but then it ignited setting fire to his head and upper body. The man, described by witnesses as being in his mid 40s, tried to take the incendiary device out of his pocket but it ignited, setting fire to his head and upper body.
A senior PSNI commander issued an appeal on Wednesday to medical staff and doctors to come forward if they had treated anyone with similar injuries since Monday evening.A senior PSNI commander issued an appeal on Wednesday to medical staff and doctors to come forward if they had treated anyone with similar injuries since Monday evening.
"We believe that this man may require treatment for burns to his neck or face," said PSNI Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum. "We believe that this man may require treatment for burns to his neck or face," said Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum.
"We would appeal to any care provider who may already have been approached or who is approached today by a male in his 40s with burns to the neck or face to contact detectives.""We would appeal to any care provider who may already have been approached or who is approached today by a male in his 40s with burns to the neck or face to contact detectives."
Police are examining the device for forensic clues and are also examining CCTV from the Cornmarket area where the shop is situated.Police are examining the device for forensic clues and are also examining CCTV from the Cornmarket area where the shop is situated.
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