A bombing unfolded late Saturday in southwest Belfast after a vehicle loaded with an explosive device detonated outside a police station in Dunmurry, prompting an attempted murder investigation led by counter-terrorism officers.
Police said the explosion happened shortly after 11:30 pm following a sequence of events in which a delivery driver was hijacked at gunpoint in the Twinbrook area shortly before 11 pm. The attackers allegedly placed a gas cylinder-type device in the boot of his car and ordered him to drive it to the police station. Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said officers moved quickly to evacuate residents nearby, describing their response as “extremely courageous.”
“Police personnel immediately, and I have to say, extremely courageously - literally running into danger, placing themselves in harm's way – evacuated nearby homes in order to protect the community.” He said two babies were among those moved to safety before the device detonated, engulfing the vehicle in flames and sending debris across the area. No injuries were reported, according to GB News.
A delivery driver involved in the incident was described by police as having experienced a “traumatic” ordeal. Several residents were later unable to return to their homes as investigations continued. Deputy Chief Constable Singleton also criticized those responsible for the attack. “For a device like this to have been deployed against police and in such close proximity to the public was idiotic. It was absolute madness.”
Forensic teams in protective suits were seen examining the burnt-out vehicle on Sunday morning as a large cordon remained in place around Dunmurry. Police also extended operations into the Twinbrook estate as part of ongoing inquiries. Brendan Mullan, chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said it was “a miracle no-one was seriously injured,” adding that it was the second such attack on a police station in recent weeks.
He said: “It is a miracle no-one was seriously injured. This is the second incident at a police station in recent weeks which is depressing. Such acts of violence have no place in a society committed to peace.”
He also said: “This explosive device was sent to kill officers and cause maximum harm in an attack which was in the heart of a residential area.
“Those responsible had callous disregard for people living close to the station and who so easily could have been caught up in this explosion.”
Authorities believe dissident republican groups may be responsible. The attack comes weeks after the New IRA claimed involvement in a similar attempted bombing in Lurgan, where a delivery driver was also forced to transport a device to a police station.
Political leaders across Northern Ireland and the UK condemned the incident. First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: “Those behind last night's attack in Dunmurry speak for absolutely no one. They have no vision, no support and have nothing to offer our society. Our communities deserve peace.”
Secretary of State Hilary Benn called it “a shameless and cowardly attack on the brave men and women who work so hard to keep our communities safe in Northern Ireland.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the incident was a reminder that the threat remains active, while Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey said those responsible “represent no one” and had “nothing to offer our society.”
Police said the explosion happened shortly after 11:30 pm following a sequence of events in which a delivery driver was hijacked at gunpoint in the Twinbrook area shortly before 11 pm. The attackers allegedly placed a gas cylinder-type device in the boot of his car and ordered him to drive it to the police station. Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said officers moved quickly to evacuate residents nearby, describing their response as “extremely courageous.”
“Police personnel immediately, and I have to say, extremely courageously - literally running into danger, placing themselves in harm's way – evacuated nearby homes in order to protect the community.” He said two babies were among those moved to safety before the device detonated, engulfing the vehicle in flames and sending debris across the area. No injuries were reported, according to GB News.
A delivery driver involved in the incident was described by police as having experienced a “traumatic” ordeal. Several residents were later unable to return to their homes as investigations continued. Deputy Chief Constable Singleton also criticized those responsible for the attack. “For a device like this to have been deployed against police and in such close proximity to the public was idiotic. It was absolute madness.”
Forensic teams in protective suits were seen examining the burnt-out vehicle on Sunday morning as a large cordon remained in place around Dunmurry. Police also extended operations into the Twinbrook estate as part of ongoing inquiries. Brendan Mullan, chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said it was “a miracle no-one was seriously injured,” adding that it was the second such attack on a police station in recent weeks.
He said: “It is a miracle no-one was seriously injured. This is the second incident at a police station in recent weeks which is depressing. Such acts of violence have no place in a society committed to peace.”
He also said: “This explosive device was sent to kill officers and cause maximum harm in an attack which was in the heart of a residential area.
“Those responsible had callous disregard for people living close to the station and who so easily could have been caught up in this explosion.”
Authorities believe dissident republican groups may be responsible. The attack comes weeks after the New IRA claimed involvement in a similar attempted bombing in Lurgan, where a delivery driver was also forced to transport a device to a police station.
Political leaders across Northern Ireland and the UK condemned the incident. First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: “Those behind last night's attack in Dunmurry speak for absolutely no one. They have no vision, no support and have nothing to offer our society. Our communities deserve peace.”
Secretary of State Hilary Benn called it “a shameless and cowardly attack on the brave men and women who work so hard to keep our communities safe in Northern Ireland.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the incident was a reminder that the threat remains active, while Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey said those responsible “represent no one” and had “nothing to offer our society.”
