Homes evacuated after car explodes outside police station near Belfast

LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago

A SECURITY ALERT is under way in Dunmurry in Northern Ireland after reports of a car explosion outside a police station.

The explosive device that detonated was “sent to kill officers”, the chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board has said.

Forensic officers were examining the burnt-out vehicle this morning in a side street beside the PSNI station in the Kingsway area of Dunmurry.

Homes in the area, which is on the outskirts of Belfast, have been evacuated and members of the public have been advised to avoid the scene.

Policing board chairman Brendan Mullan said the device “was sent to kill officers and cause maximum harm in an attack which was in the heart of a residential area”.

He said those responsible had “callous disregard” for people living close to the station and who could have been caught up in the blast.

“It is a miracle no one was seriously injured and we thank the officers, ATO and emergency services who initially responded, and have been working to ensure everyone’s safety since,” Mullins said.

“This is the second incident at a police station in recent weeks which is depressing. The people have spoken when they overwhelmingly endorsed the Good Friday Agreement.

Last month an explosive device that police described as “crude but viable” was at the centre of an attempted attack on another PSNI station in Northern Ireland.

A delivery driver was forced at gunpoint to transport the device to Lurgan police station in an incident blamed on dissident republicans.

The device did not explode on that occasion.

PSNI statement

In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “Police are currently at the scene of a security alert in the Kingsway area of Dunmurry this morning, Sunday April 26.

“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area. Cordons are in place and an evacuation operation is under way.

“An update will follow in due course.”

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First Minister Michelle O’Neill said those behind the attack “speak for absolutely no-one”.

She posted on social media: “They have no vision, no support, and have nothing to offer our society.

“Our communities deserve peace.”

Sinn Féin Assembly member for the area Danny Baker expressed concern in a post on social media.

“There have been reports of an explosion close to the Dunmurry police station,” he said.

“I would ask anyone travelling in that direction to avoid the area and if residents need support, to get in touch.

“At this stage, there is very little information, and I hope no-one is hurt.”

The attack was also condemned by the Dublin Defence Minister Helen McEntee, who called it “cowardly and reckless”.

“It endangered the lives of the public as well as the men and women of the PSNI who serve the whole community every day with courage,” McEntee said.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson described the reports as “deeply concerning”.

He said: “If this was another attempt by dissident republicans to intimidate communities and target the police, then it must be met with the full force of the law.”

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he is “appalled” by the incident.

“This was a shameless and cowardly attack on the brave men and women who work so hard to keep our communities safe in Northern Ireland,” he said.