Dissident republicans attempt to bomb peace process

DISSIDENT republicans who left a huge van bomb near the centre of Belfast have attempted to undermine the Northern Ireland peace process just hours before party leaders met President Bush in the White House, it was claimed yesterday.

The massive fuel-type device with attached timer unit was abandoned outside the city’s main courthouse in a white Peugeot van, whose owner was hijacked and forced to drive the van there by three masked men. Army bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, SDLP leader Mark Durkan, Chief Constable Hugh Orde and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern were due to meet President Bush later the same day the bomb would have gone off.