PSNI training centre attack condemned as “despicable”

There has been widespread condemnation of an attack, thought to be the work of dissident republicans, on a police training centre in Belfast.

A police patrol was investigating reports of suspicious activity outside Garnerville Police Training College when they discovered a suspect parcel at about 11pm on Tuesday April 16.

The device exploded, while being examined by Army Technical Officers just outside the perimeter of the training centre around midnight.

There were no reports of any injuries but the back gates of the college, where the device was found, were damaged.

Belfast Area Commander, Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan said: “This is not an attack on the police service but an attack on all the people in Northern Ireland who want to move forwards.”

The Chairman of the Policing Board has condemned the attack as “despicable”.

Professor Rea, said: “It is despicable that such a device was left outside Garnerville. Although it caused considerable inconvenience, thankfully no member of the local community or officers within the complex were injured and little damage appears to have been caused.

“As we strive to create a new beginning to policing here, it is disheartening that there are those within the community who wish to stay in the past. Once again I call on all those with influence to use their powers to stop these attacks and start supporting policing instead of trying to destroy it.”

East Belfast Alliance councillor for the area, Naomi Long, said: “We all believed that this kind of terrorism had ended and it is to be hoped that the perpetrators who continue to oppose the peace process will be brought to justice.”

The Security Minister Jane Kennedy said: “We have a new beginning to policing and incidents like these will not deflect the move towards a better future for policing and for Northern Ireland.”

The SDLP spokesperson on policing Alex Attwood said the attack “confirmed that both the public and the police need to remain vigilant”.

“This is a terrible attack and it is particularly worrying given the fact that it was an attack on a training college where new recruits are going through training and are about to embark on their new career. There is no reason or cause to be advanced by those who would try to disrupt normal life and cause injury and death.” (AMcE)