“This may cause some inconvenience to the general public”
Forensic officers gather evidence at the scene of a suspected car bomb attack on Dunmurry police station (Image: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Police are increasing vehicle checkpoints and patrols across Northern Ireland in the wake of a car bomb outside Dunmurry police station.
It comes as, in a statement to The Irish News, the New IRA claimed responsibility for the car bomb outside Dunmurry police station on Saturday, April 25. The group said they vow to “target the homes of police officers” across Northern Ireland, and said anyone who provides information to the PSNI “will be severely dealt with”.
The dissident group said the Dunmurry explosion was intended to kill officers as they left the building. The explosion occurred shortly after 10.50pm and caused significant damage, with families in the area evacuated.
READ MORE: New IRA to ‘target homes of police officers’ after Dunmurry car bomb attackREAD MORE: Watch heart-stopping video of moment car bomb explodes right in front of PSNI officer
In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, the PSNI said communities across Northern Ireland will see an increase in policing activity, as a high visibility policing operation gets underway to counter the threat. They said this will include more vehicle checkpoints and patrolling officers.
Assistant Chief Constable for Crime Department Davy Beck said: “We have concerns about threats across Northern Ireland from dissident groups, particularly in the wake of the recent attack on Dunmurry Police Station which demonstrated a clear intent to damage and disrupt communities and potentially injure and kill police officers and staff.
“Our job is to keep communities safe and also our officers who bravely serve to protect these communities. We are taking every reasonable step to do so. However, we need the active support of our communities to do this.
“This operation will involve more vehicle checkpoints and patrolling officers. This may cause some inconvenience to the general public, however, we are asking for patience and the support of communities as we work hard to keep us all safe.”
The Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, Liam Kelly, described the New IRA statement as “bearing all the hallmarks of fascist thugs and cowards.”
Mr Kelly said: “This is a pathetic claim of responsibility for the Dunmurry PSNI Station attack. No one wants to hear old rhetoric dressed as new from a small, self-styled group. This is a pathetic attempt to show some relevance.
“Our officers know they have to remain vigilant both on and off duty and it has been that way throughout the 25 years the Service has been in existence.
“Secondly, it’s time political rhetoric is translated into action. I want outright, unequivocal statements from our leaders, particularly those from republican/nationalist parties, Church and civic organisations, condemning this cowardly attempt to bully and intimidate our police colleagues and the extended police family.
“It’s time for them to get off the fence to show they are 100% supportive of the work our men and women do in all communities to investigate crime and safeguard people. Nothing else will do.”
Policing Board Chair Brendan Mullan said: “Those who have issued the claim of responsibility for the attack on Dunmurry station are living in a past that nobody wants.
“As a Board we welcome the strength of political and community support voiced for policing over recent days, and the collective condemnation of those who want to bring terror to our community and harm to our policing service.
“It is completely unacceptable that police officers, and their families, are subject to such threats. We urge anyone who has any information that can assist the investigation to report it to the PSNI or anonymously through Crimestoppers.”
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said it was a day for “strong condemnation, not political nonsense”, while Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the security situation in Northern Ireland needed to be “very high on the agenda” at Westminster.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack on Sunday, while Secretary of State Hilary Benn told the House of Commons on Monday that those responsible were a “small number of people who represent no-one but themselves”.
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