23/08/2019

Police Believe Continuity IRA Behind Fermanagh Bomb

Police have expressed their belief that an explosion in the Wattlebridge area of County Fermanagh on Monday was the work of the Continuity IRA.

The device detonated while a wider security operation was ongoing in the area follow reports of a device that was later confirmed as a hoax.

Detective Superintendent Sean Wright, Head of the PSNI's Terrorism Investigation Unit, reaffirmed that the bomb was a deliberate attempt by the group to murder police officers and army personnel.

Squads moved in to secure the area on Saturday evening, 17 August, following a fake tip-off from a media outlet of a suspect device.

It was during the alert that a bomb exploded just off the main A3 Cavan Road at its junction with the Wattlebridge Road.

DS Sean Wright said: "This was not a controlled explosion carried out by security services, it detonated without warning. This demonstrates how volatile these devices are and I am thankful that there were no injuries.

"Thankfully these terrorists did not succeed in their murderous attempt and police officers and army personnel bravely continued the clearance operation, working to protect the community of Wattlebridge.

"It was only once we were satisfied that no further explosive devices were present that a forensic recovery of the exploded device took place and the area around the scene was subsequently reopened.

"A forensic examination of the device and its composition forms part of our ongoing police investigation."

Police are continuing to appeal for information about the attack, which came in the wake of previous attempts to murder security force personnel in Craigavon and east Belfast.

Anyone who was in the Wattlebridge area between the hours of 6pm on Friday 16 August and 8pm on Saturday 17 is urged to call police immediately on 101 or on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.



(JG/CM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

16 January 2017
Explosive Device Found In West Belfast
An explosive device found during a security alert in west Belfast was "designed to kill or seriously injure police officers", according to the PSNI. The alert, which has now ended, was on the Brians Well road area in Poleglass on Saturday, 14 January.
09 March 2015
Search Continues For Explosive Device In L'Derry
Police are continuing to carry out searches in L'Derry after being informed that a suspicious device has been left in the city. The search, on the Madam's Bank Road, is resuming after being told an explosive device had been abandoned in the area. Residents and motorists are being urged to be vigilant.
05 March 2015
Viable Incendiary Device Found On Police Station Grounds
A controlled explosion has been carried out on a viable incendiary device discovered on the grounds of Ballycastle Police Station, Co Antrim. A second device found has been declared a hoax. They were discovered on the Ramoan Road on Thursday morning. A number of businesses were forced to close during the alert, however they have now reopened.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
31 March 2017
Viable Device Discovered In L'Derry Security Alert
Police have discovered a viable device during a security alert in L'Derry. Army bomb disposal were alerted to the Tamneymore Park area at around 2am on Friday, 31 March, following reports of a suspicious object. The device has been taken away for forensic examination. The alert is ongoing however no roads have been closed.