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| Bomb under policeman's car - PSNI blame dissident republicans | Bomb under policeman's car - PSNI blame dissident republicans |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| A viable bomb placed under a serving police officer's car in Belfast was a murder attempt by dissident republican paramilitaries, the police have said. | A viable bomb placed under a serving police officer's car in Belfast was a murder attempt by dissident republican paramilitaries, the police have said. |
| The unexploded device was discovered on the Upper Newtownards Road at about 14:00 GMT on Sunday. | The unexploded device was discovered on the Upper Newtownards Road at about 14:00 GMT on Sunday. |
| Army bomb disposal officers were called to deal with the device and carried out a controlled explosion. | Army bomb disposal officers were called to deal with the device and carried out a controlled explosion. |
| The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the bomb was "clearly intended to kill the police officer". | The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the bomb was "clearly intended to kill the police officer". |
| Evacuated | Evacuated |
| In a statement, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton said: "It is very fortunate that this device was detected before it exploded and that no one was killed or seriously injured. | In a statement, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton said: "It is very fortunate that this device was detected before it exploded and that no one was killed or seriously injured. |
| "Initial investigations would indicate that this was a viable device placed below an officer's car sometime in the last 48 hours." | "Initial investigations would indicate that this was a viable device placed below an officer's car sometime in the last 48 hours." |
| ACC Hamilton added that the officer's family and neighbours "were also put at risk of serious harm". | ACC Hamilton added that the officer's family and neighbours "were also put at risk of serious harm". |
| A number of houses in the area had to be evacuated while Army bomb officers made the device safe. | A number of houses in the area had to be evacuated while Army bomb officers made the device safe. |
| ACC Hamilton added: "Our belief is that this attempted murder was carried by those opposed to peace from within dissident republicanism. | ACC Hamilton added: "Our belief is that this attempted murder was carried by those opposed to peace from within dissident republicanism. |
| "They don't care who they attack, they don't care who they kill. They are simply anti-peace and determined to carry on bringing pain and devastation to families and communities by maiming and killing," he said. | "They don't care who they attack, they don't care who they kill. They are simply anti-peace and determined to carry on bringing pain and devastation to families and communities by maiming and killing," he said. |
| Booby-trap | Booby-trap |
| The chairman of Northern Ireland's Police Federation said he would be seeking a meeting with Chief Constable Matt Baggott to discuss officers' personal security. | The chairman of Northern Ireland's Police Federation said he would be seeking a meeting with Chief Constable Matt Baggott to discuss officers' personal security. |
| Terry Spence said more needed to be done to ensure officers' safety at home and at work. | Terry Spence said more needed to be done to ensure officers' safety at home and at work. |
| "It could be argued that at this stage there are not sufficient resources available to police officers in dealing with this threat. However that is a matter that I will be raising with the chief constable," said Mr Spence. | "It could be argued that at this stage there are not sufficient resources available to police officers in dealing with this threat. However that is a matter that I will be raising with the chief constable," said Mr Spence. |
| Northern Ireland Office Minister Mike Penning said everything the chief constable and Justice Minister David Ford had asked for to combat violent groups had been provided. | Northern Ireland Office Minister Mike Penning said everything the chief constable and Justice Minister David Ford had asked for to combat violent groups had been provided. |
| "I know there are calls for more police and more this and more that but at the end of the day our police force are doing a fantastic job out there," he said. | "I know there are calls for more police and more this and more that but at the end of the day our police force are doing a fantastic job out there," he said. |
| "The security forces and the security services are doing excellent work as well, so we're doing everything we possibly can, but I have to say we have to be vigilant. | "The security forces and the security services are doing excellent work as well, so we're doing everything we possibly can, but I have to say we have to be vigilant. |
| Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Vernon Coaker MP said: "This is an utterly reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer and his family. | |
| "An attack on the police is an attack on the entire community. | |
| "The bravery of the PSNI is in stark contrast to the actions of those who planted a bomb under this family's car just days after Christmas." | |
| In recent years, dissident republican paramilitary groups have carried out a number of attacks on PSNI officers. | In recent years, dissident republican paramilitary groups have carried out a number of attacks on PSNI officers. |
| In April 2011, Constable Ronan Kerr was killed when a booby-trap car bomb exploded under his car in Omagh, County Tyrone. | In April 2011, Constable Ronan Kerr was killed when a booby-trap car bomb exploded under his car in Omagh, County Tyrone. |
| The previous year, Constable Peadar Heffron lost a leg in a similar attack as he drove to work in Randalstown, County Antrim. | The previous year, Constable Peadar Heffron lost a leg in a similar attack as he drove to work in Randalstown, County Antrim. |
| The SDLP's spokesperson on policing, Conall McDevitt, condemned the latest attack, describing it as a "cynical and deplorable act". | The SDLP's spokesperson on policing, Conall McDevitt, condemned the latest attack, describing it as a "cynical and deplorable act". |
| 'Heartache' | 'Heartache' |
| Robin Newton from the DUP said the attack was an attempt to murder. | Robin Newton from the DUP said the attack was an attempt to murder. |
| "Those who placed this potential bomb have nothing to offer the community except heartache and sorrow," the East Belfast MLA said. | "Those who placed this potential bomb have nothing to offer the community except heartache and sorrow," the East Belfast MLA said. |
| The Alliance MLA for the area, Chris Lyttle, said: "My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the officer and the family directly affected by this cowardly act." | The Alliance MLA for the area, Chris Lyttle, said: "My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the officer and the family directly affected by this cowardly act." |