19 October 2009

Belfast Car Bomb Admitted

A republican dissident splinter group called Oglaigh na hEireann has admitted planting an under-car bomb that injured the girlfriend of a police officer in east Belfast.

Using a recognised codeword the group said that it was a mercury tilt-switch-type device designed to cause maximum damage to the passenger side of the vehicle.

A serving police officer who works as a dog handler was the intended target.

The 38-year-old woman was pulled from her mangled sports car at 7.30am on Friday and taken to hospital where she was treated for minor injuries.

She was reversing her red Mazda MX5 out of the driveway of a semi-detached house in Kingsdale Garden when the bomb exploded.

It is believed the woman often gave her partner a lift to work.

While no details of the type of bomb have been officially released, police said it was viable and had been positioned under the passenger side of the vehicle.

It is believed to be the first time the group has used an under-car bomb, suggesting that someone with that expertise may have joined its ranks.

DUP Leader and East Belfast MP Peter Robinson said: "Those responsible have nothing to offer and must face the full rigours of the law."

Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "Attempts like this to derail the peace process must not be allowed to succeed," while NIO security minister Paul Goggins said the attack was repulsive.

"Mercifully, this woman escaped with minor injuries but those who planted this bomb had murder in mind. They do not care who they kill," he said.

The attack, close to the PSNI headquarters, was described by UUP leader Sir Reg Empey as "a despicable assault on our entire community".

Police Federation Chairman Terry Spence said it was a "cowardly and reckless... attempt to murder a police officer".

He urged officers "and the wider police family" to be vigilant about their personal security.

NI Policing Board chairman Barry Gilligan also said those responsible "must not be allowed to inflict their vile terror on our community" and said he "would urge anyone with information to pass it to the police".

(BMcC/KMcA)