Cops in Northern Ireland release images of ‘Brexit Day bomb’ after IRA plot to target ferry
POLICE have released images of a ‘Brexit Day bomb’ after IRA terrorists attempted to target a ferry with the explosive device. Cops got a tip-off about a device on a lorry at Belfast docks last Friday – the day the UK left the European Union. After an extensive police search of 400 vehicles the bomb […]
POLICE have released images of a ‘Brexit Day bomb’ after IRA terrorists attempted to target a ferry with the explosive device.
Cops got a tip-off about a device on a lorry at Belfast docks last Friday – the day the UK left the European Union.
After an extensive police search of 400 vehicles the bomb was found attached to a lorry in the Silverwood Industrial Estate in Lurgan, Armagh on Tuesday morning.
The bomb was then made safe by disposal experts.
Det Supt Sean Wright said the images released today clearly show an explosive device attached to the lorry.
“They also demonstrate the sheer recklessness of those who knowingly put the driver, road users and the wider public at risk of death or serious injury,” he said.
It is understood the Continuity IRA planned to smuggle the bomb across the Irish sea on a ship destined for Scotland, then transport it to an unknown location in England and detonate it to coincide with Brexit.
The terrorist group admitted responsibility in a statement to Belfast newspaper, the Irish News, after the Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) blamed them for the botched attack.
Officers suspect the Continuity IRA chose the wrong vehicle as the trailer containing the bomb never left the estate on Friday.
Det Supt Wright said the cops were continuing to appeal to anyone who was in the area of the industrial estate between 4pm and 10pm on Friday and may have noticed any unusual activity, to contact the police.
He said: “In addition I ask that anyone who was driving in the area and who would have dash-cam footage around these same times that they contact police, as a matter of urgency.”
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Seamus Leheny, from the Freight Transport Association, called the attack “reckless”.
He said: “If it was viable, it could have put the driver of the lorry and their colleagues, road users and anyone in the vicinity of the lorry in serious danger.
“The consequences could have been catastrophic.”
