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Belfast police targeted in blast bomb attack | Belfast police targeted in blast bomb attack |
(35 minutes later) | |
Police have escaped injury in a blast bomb attack in west Belfast, which caused an explosion that was heard across the city. | Police have escaped injury in a blast bomb attack in west Belfast, which caused an explosion that was heard across the city. |
The bomb was thrown at a police vehicle at about 22:30 GMT on the Falls Road close to the City Cemetery. | The bomb was thrown at a police vehicle at about 22:30 GMT on the Falls Road close to the City Cemetery. |
No-one was injured in the attack, but a car carrying a family who were driving by was hit by shrapnel and a chunk was blown out of the cemetery wall. | No-one was injured in the attack, but a car carrying a family who were driving by was hit by shrapnel and a chunk was blown out of the cemetery wall. |
Paramedics treated up to four people for shock at the scene. | Paramedics treated up to four people for shock at the scene. |
West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said a family with young children had been caught up in what he said was a "reckless attack". | West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said a family with young children had been caught up in what he said was a "reckless attack". |
"I have to condemn whoever carried this out. I am sure it is dissident republicans. They should be ashamed of themselves. We are very lucky this young family is not hurt or dead," he said. | "I have to condemn whoever carried this out. I am sure it is dissident republicans. They should be ashamed of themselves. We are very lucky this young family is not hurt or dead," he said. |
Mr Maskey also criticised the police for leaving the scene of the attack. He said the family who were also caught up in it, were left for more than an hour. | Mr Maskey also criticised the police for leaving the scene of the attack. He said the family who were also caught up in it, were left for more than an hour. |
'No justification' | |
A police spokesman said: "Police in west Belfast have escaped serious injury tonight after an explosive device detonated close to their vehicle on the Falls Road. | A police spokesman said: "Police in west Belfast have escaped serious injury tonight after an explosive device detonated close to their vehicle on the Falls Road. |
"It is believed some form of explosive device was thrown at their vehicle." | "It is believed some form of explosive device was thrown at their vehicle." |
Stewart Dickson, justice spokesman for the Alliance Party, said there could be no justification for the attack. | |
He said: "These people have no regards for the consequences of their actions. They do not care if police officers or members of the public are killed. | |
"The vast majority of the public fully support the police and are opposed to the actions of those behind this attack." |