The New IRA has issued a threat to target the homes of police officers in Northern Ireland following a car bomb attack near Belfast. The dissident republican group claimed responsibility for the explosion that occurred outside a police station in Dunmurry on Saturday night.
Statement from the New IRA
In a statement provided to the Irish News, the group, referring to itself as the “leadership of the IRA,” warned that anyone who provides information to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) “will be severely dealt with.” The New IRA stated that the Dunmurry explosion was intended to kill officers as they exited the building.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported after the blast, which took place shortly before 11:00 PM on Saturday. However, the explosion caused significant damage to the area and forced the evacuation of nearby families.
Details of the Attack
A delivery driver was coerced by the group into transporting a bomb packed with Semtex explosives, along with an electrical detonator and a timing device. The device detonated outside the police station, but no officers or civilians were harmed.
PSNI Response
In response to the heightened threat, the PSNI has announced a “high visibility policing operation” to counter the dissident republican threat. Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck stated: “Communities across Northern Ireland will see an increase in policing activity as a high visibility policing operation gets underway to counter the ongoing dissident threat.”
Beck emphasised the seriousness of the situation, noting: “We have concerns about threats across Northern Ireland from dissident groups, particularly in the wake of the recent attack on Dunmurry Police Station which demonstrated a clear intent to damage and disrupt communities and potentially injure and kill police officers and staff.”
He added: “Our job is to keep communities safe and also our officers who bravely serve to protect these communities. We are taking every reasonable step to do so. However, we need the active support of our communities to do this.”
Increased Security Measures
The operation will involve more vehicle checkpoints and additional patrolling officers. Beck acknowledged that this may cause inconvenience but appealed for public patience and support, stating: “We are asking for patience and the support of communities as we work hard to keep us all safe.”
This is a developing story.
