This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/01/two-arrests-northern-ireland-car-bomb

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Two arrests over Northern Ireland car bomb Two arrests over Northern Ireland car bomb
(about 1 hour later)
Detectives investigating the attempted murder of a police officer in Northern Ireland have made two arrests.Detectives investigating the attempted murder of a police officer in Northern Ireland have made two arrests.
Men aged 25 and 34 were detained in Belfast on Monday night after the off-duty constable discovered a bomb under his car at his home in the city on Sunday.Men aged 25 and 34 were detained in Belfast on Monday night after the off-duty constable discovered a bomb under his car at his home in the city on Sunday.
Senior officers have said the attack could have killed the policeman's wife and two young children. Senior officers have said the attack could have killed the officer's wife and two young children.
Police Service of Northern Ireland assistant chief constable George Hamilton said: "If that officer had not checked under his car we would have been looking at a murder or multiple murders."Police Service of Northern Ireland assistant chief constable George Hamilton said: "If that officer had not checked under his car we would have been looking at a murder or multiple murders."
Police are now on high alert after the attempted murder and the separate discovery of a pipe bomb near the police station in Tandragee in Mid-Ulster.Police are now on high alert after the attempted murder and the separate discovery of a pipe bomb near the police station in Tandragee in Mid-Ulster.
The booby-trap device in Belfast was defused in a controlled explosion by the army.The booby-trap device in Belfast was defused in a controlled explosion by the army.
It was recovered from under the officer's car partially intact and police hope forensic tests could identify those who made and planted it. It was recovered from under the officer's car partially intact and police hoped forensic tests could identify those who made and planted it.
Hamilton said he was linking the attack to "anti-peace" dissident republicans.Hamilton said he was linking the attack to "anti-peace" dissident republicans.
Police have been warning for months that republican militants remain determined to kill members of the security forces.Police have been warning for months that republican militants remain determined to kill members of the security forces.
On 1 November, prison officer David Black was shot dead as he drove along the M1 motorway to his work at the high-security Maghaberry prison in Co Antrim, which houses dissident inmates.On 1 November, prison officer David Black was shot dead as he drove along the M1 motorway to his work at the high-security Maghaberry prison in Co Antrim, which houses dissident inmates.
A group styling itself the "new IRA" claimed that attack. The faction was formed in the summer when several splinter groups joined forces. A group styling itself the "new IRA" claimed responsibility for that attack. The faction was formed in the summer when several splinter groups joined forces.
Less than two weeks later, an under-car booby-trap bomb was found lying on a road in west Belfast. It is believed to have fallen from a soldier's car.Less than two weeks later, an under-car booby-trap bomb was found lying on a road in west Belfast. It is believed to have fallen from a soldier's car.
In recent months police in Belfast and Londonderry have recovered horizontal mortars capable of piercing the armour of police vehicles and causing multiple fatalities. In recent months police in Belfast and Londonderry have recovered horizontal mortars capable of piercing the armour of police vehicles and causing multiple deaths.
During the past year, police have arrested 115 people suspected of dissident republican activity, and 35 have been charged. Sixty-four officers have been forced to leave their homes during the past five years because of intelligence that they were being targeted for potential attack.During the past year, police have arrested 115 people suspected of dissident republican activity, and 35 have been charged. Sixty-four officers have been forced to leave their homes during the past five years because of intelligence that they were being targeted for potential attack.
Many others have had additional security measures like bulletproof glass installed in their homes. Many others have had additional security measures such as bulletproof glass installed in their homes.
The chairman of Northern Ireland's Police Federation said he would be seeking a meeting with PSNI chief constable Matt Baggott to discuss officers' personal security and the recruitment of extra staff. The chairman of Northern Ireland's Police Federation said he would be seeking a meeting with the PSNI chief constable, Matt Baggott, to discuss officers' personal security and the recruitment of extra staff.
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.