Car Bomb Explodes Near Police Station in Dunmurry, Belfast

"It is only through the grace of God that there are no casualties."
— Sorcha Eastwood, MP for Lagan Valley

A car bomb exploded near a police station in Dunmurry, a town on the outskirts of Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Saturday night. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) declared a security alert and evacuated nearby homes. No casualties were reported.

Incident Details

According to the PSNI, a delivery driver was forced at gunpoint to drive a hijacked car to the station and abandon it. The vehicle contained a gas cylinder device in its boot. The device exploded as officers were evacuating nearby residents, including two babies. No injuries were reported.

Investigation and Response

The PSNI attributes the attack to the New IRA and is treating it as attempted murder. Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton stated that the device detonated without causing harm.

A 66-year-old man was arrested under the UK Terrorism Act. Searches are ongoing in east and west Belfast.

Statements

• Sorcha Eastwood, Member of the UK Parliament for the Lagan Valley constituency, stated: "It is distressing and disturbing to wake up to the news that a car bomb exploded outside Dunmurry police station last night." She added: "It is only through the grace of God that there are no casualties."

• Brendan Mullan, chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, stated that the device "was sent to kill officers and cause maximum harm."

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said those responsible "will be brought to justice."

• Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, described the attackers as "faceless cowards."

The current terrorist threat level in Northern Ireland is "substantial."

Responsibility

The New IRA has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating intent to kill police officers. The group has previously warned of plans to target officers at their homes with bombs.

Background

Last month, a similar attempted attack occurred at a PSNI station in Lurgan, approximately 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Dunmurry. In that incident, two masked men forced a delivery driver at gunpoint to transport a "crude but viable improvised explosive device" to the station. A controlled explosion was carried out after about 100 homes were evacuated. Police stated that the Lurgan attack was likely carried out by dissident Republican groups. The New IRA claimed responsibility for that incident.

The 1998 Good Friday Agreement largely ended decades of violence between Republican groups opposed to British rule and those who want to maintain the region's ties to the United Kingdom. Dissident groups that oppose the peace process still carry out sporadic attacks.