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Belfast police targeted in blast bomb attack Belfast police targeted in blast bomb attack
(35 minutes 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 bomb thought to have been thrown at a police patrol in west Belfast on Friday night was in fact detonated by a command wire, the PSNI has said.
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 bomb had been left in the grounds of the City Cemetery.
The family was treated for shock, but no-one was injured in the attack. The family's car was slightly damaged. A family of five and four police officers were caught up in the bomb attack at about 22:30 GMT.
The blast blew a chunk of masonry out of the wall of the City Cemetery. The Filipino family was treated for shock, but no-one was injured in the attack. The family's car was slightly damaged.
The bomb was thrown at about 22:30 GMT. The blast blew a chunk of masonry out of the wall of the cemetery.
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.
'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.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."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.
Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said: "This attack is a blatant disregard not just for lives of police officers but also for safety of whole community in west Belfast."
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.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.""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."