Brexit Bomb Ploy Sparks Outrage

Leaders from across the political spectrum have united to condemn the dissident republicans who planted a bomb found on a lorry in Lurgan.

It's thought the device may have been intended for a Brexit day attack after police received reports it had been planted on a lorry travelling on the Belfast to Scotland ferry on Friday 31 January.

The bomb was located and stabilised at Silverwood Industrial Estate in Lurgan some four days later.

Dissident republicans are being blamed for the incident, which police said was a deliberate attempt to risk the lives of the lorry driver, other road users and the wider public.

The planned attack has sparked outrage among Northern Ireland's political parties.

DUP Leader Arlene Foster said it stands as a chilling reminder of the threat posed by terrorists.

"The potential damage which could have been caused and loss of life either here in Northern Ireland, on board a ferry or in Great Britain do not bear thinking about," the First Minister said.

"It is significant that information was available which meant police could search the ferry and ensure it was able to sail safely. The disruption of such potential attacks can save lives and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to all those working to keep the public safe and thwart the efforts of terrorists."

Alliance MP Stephen Farry added: "This is a further reminder of the need for constant vigilance of the threat from dissident republicans. While police and the intelligence services have been effective in combatting most of their activities, they require our ongoing support.

"Brexit may be a hugely destabilising event for Northern Ireland, but we must not allow those who wish to exploit it for violent ends any sort of foothold. I appeal to anyone with information on this incident to take it to police immediately."

The Ulster Unionist party, meanwhile, appealed for help from members of the public to assist the ongoing police investigation.

The party's Policing Board representative Alan Chambers said the dissident republican bomb ploy brings the region back to times of conflict.

"Far too many communities throughout Northern Ireland are still living in fear of armed criminal gangs who seek to invoke a political cause to try to give some legitimacy to their illegal activities," the north Down MLA said.

"Just what cause would have been advanced if republicans had managed to detonate a bomb on a ferry to Scotland? Or if it had exploded on the M1 or driving through Lurgan or Belfast and caused death or injury to other motorists or pedestrians? The consequences could have been horrendous.

"The people responsible were incredibly reckless and showed no regard for the lives of anyone else. Life is cheap to these people and that is why they pose such a danger to this society."

Mr Chambers urged anyone with information that could help police track own those responsible to come forward.

"They are not playing games, there is no romantic dream in play here, these people are trying to commit murder and do not care who they kill. That is why they have to be stopped and put permanently out of business," the Ulster Unionist said.



(JG/CM)