A senior police officer has announced that a high visibility policing operation will be launched across Northern Ireland to counter the dissident republican threat. This follows a car bomb attack outside Dunmurry police station on Saturday.
Details of the Operation
Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck stated that the operation will involve an increased number of vehicle checkpoints and officers on patrol, which may cause some inconvenience to the public. The aim is to address ongoing threats from dissident groups, particularly after the recent attack that demonstrated a clear intent to harm police officers and disrupt communities.
Investigation Progress
Detectives investigating the attack have arrested a 66-year-old man in the Dunmurry area under the Terrorism Act. Several searches are ongoing in east and west Belfast. The dissident republican group the New IRA has claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement to the Irish News newspaper.
Background of the Incident
On Saturday, a male delivery driver was hijacked in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast. A device was placed inside his vehicle, and he was ordered to drive to Dunmurry police station. The car exploded as people were being evacuated, but no one was injured. Police are treating the incident as attempted murder. This attack occurred just weeks after a similar attempted car bomb attack on Lurgan police station.
Political Condemnation
There has been widespread political condemnation of the attack. Policing Board chairman Brendan Mullan said those claiming responsibility are living in a past that nobody wants. He welcomed the strength of political and community support for policing and urged anyone with information to report it to the PSNI or anonymously through Crimestoppers.
On Monday, the PSNI released footage of the moment the car bomb exploded, and senior figures jointly condemned the reckless attack. Northern Ireland’s political leaders and the chief constable voiced their condemnation at a joint press conference.
