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Belfast police targeted in blast bomb attack | Belfast police targeted in blast bomb attack |
(35 minutes later) | |
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 bomb had been left in the grounds of the City Cemetery. | |
A family of five and four police officers were caught up in the bomb attack at about 22:30 GMT. | |
The Filipino 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 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." | |
'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." |