Authorities announced a 66-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder and terrorism-related offences following a car explosion outside Dunmurry Police Station in Northern Ireland. The incident, which occurred on Saturday night, saw a hijacked vehicle detonate near the station while officers and staff were evacuating.
The charges include attempted murder, possessing explosives with intent to endanger life, causing an explosion likely to endanger life, and possession of articles for use in terrorism. Police allege the car was fitted with a gas cylinder device before being driven to the station under duress. The New IRA, a dissident republican group, has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was an attempt to kill police officers. This marks the second such incident targeting a police station in Northern Ireland in recent weeks, following a similar event in Lurgan.
The deliberate detonation of a vehicle packed with explosives outside a police station, with a civilian driver coerced into its delivery, underscores a persistent, if sporadic, threat from dissident republican factions opposing the peace process.
Authorities are conducting further searches in east and west Belfast as part of the ongoing investigation. The PSNI has released body-worn footage capturing the moments before and after the explosion, highlighting the "reckless and stupid" nature of the attack. The incident has prompted condemnation from political leaders, including Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
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The explosion occurred shortly after 10:50 PM BST on Saturday. A delivery driver was reportedly hijacked in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast, his vehicle loaded with a gas cylinder device, and then forced to drive to Dunmurry Police Station to abandon it. The car ignited and exploded shortly after, sending smoke into the sky. While no injuries were reported, the explosion in a residential area led to the evacuation of some residents, including infants.
The swift action of police and the fact that no one was injured has been described as "miraculous," especially given the device's alleged intent to kill.
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The incident has raised security concerns for those working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), including civilian staff. Tracey Godfrey, a civilian worker with 42 years of service, noted that the event brought back memories of working through 'The Troubles'. The PSNI employs over 2,000 civilian staff in addition to its police officers. The New IRA has also issued threats against the homes of PSNI employees.
The explosion at Dunmurry Police Station is the second such incident in Northern Ireland in recent weeks. A similar attempt was foiled at Lurgan Police Station on March 30, where a hijacked car with a device was also involved, though it did not explode. Authorities had previously warned that dissident republican groups retain the capability and intent to carry out attacks. The ongoing investigation also involves forensic examination of the burnt-out vehicle.
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