This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26583624
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Belfast police targeted in blast bomb attack | Belfast police targeted in blast bomb attack |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A family of five were caught up in a bomb attack on a police patrol on the Falls Road in west Belfast on Friday night. | A family of five were caught up in a bomb attack on a police patrol on the Falls Road in west Belfast on Friday night. |
| The Filipino family with children aged 16, 13 and 11 were in their car, when a blast bomb was thrown at a passing police patrol in the area. | The Filipino family with children aged 16, 13 and 11 were in their car, when a blast bomb was thrown at a passing police patrol in the area. |
| The family was treated for shock, but no-one was injured in the attack. The family's car was slightly damaged. | The family was treated for shock, but no-one was injured in the attack. The family's car was slightly damaged. |
| The blast blew a chunk of masonry out of the wall of the City Cemetery. | The blast blew a chunk of masonry out of the wall of the City Cemetery. |
| The bomb was thrown at about 22:30 GMT. | The bomb was thrown at about 22:30 GMT. |
| Sinn Fein blamed dissident republicans and condemned them, saying they could have killed people. | Sinn Fein blamed dissident republicans and condemned them, saying they could have killed people. |
| West Belfast MP Paul Maskey 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. | West Belfast MP Paul Maskey 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. |
| 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' | '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." |
| Terry Spence, the chairman of the Northern Ireland Police Federation, said it was a "reckless, cowardly and futile" attack. | |
| "The officers were fortunate to escape unhurt in what was a clear attempt to murder and maim. Those responsible have absolutely no regard or respect for life," he said. | |
| Stewart Dickson, justice spokesman for the Alliance Party, said there could be no justification for the attack. | 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. | 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." | "The vast majority of the public fully support the police and are opposed to the actions of those behind this attack." |
| Ulster Unionist Policing Board member Ross Hussey said: "I am disgusted to hear of the cowardly blast bomb attack on the PSNI in Belfast. I am relieved that officers and passers-by weren't injured." | Ulster Unionist Policing Board member Ross Hussey said: "I am disgusted to hear of the cowardly blast bomb attack on the PSNI in Belfast. I am relieved that officers and passers-by weren't injured." |
| The SDLP's Alex Attwood said: "I condemn this attempt to kill police officers. | |
| "Those engaged in this type of reckless violence are not advancing a political ideal of any kind, they are hurting the community they claim to represent." |